Rio Olympics 2016: Sushil Kumar dropped from first list of probables sent to IOA, demands fresh trials

New Delhi: In what could be a major blow to India's preparations for the upcoming Rio Olympics, ace Indian pugilist Sushil Kumar has been left out of the probables list sent to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

According to a report in Hindustan Times, the IOA has received the probables' list from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) in which the two-time Olympic medallist was not mentioned.

This means, going by the rules, another wrestler Narsingh Yadav, who bagged an India quota in the same weight category (74kg), has been selected over Sushil.

Speaking to ANI, Sushil said that whoever is better and stronger of the two wrestlers must be sent for Rio.

Sushil, who previously competed in the 66kg category, had to switch to the 74kg due to international wrestling federation's decision to merge weight categories in 2013.

However, Mumbai-based Narsingh had already secured India's 74kg quota with a bronze medal win at the World Championships in Las Vegas last year.

Sushil did not participate in that event due to a shoulder injury.

Earlier, fighting for his case, Sushil said that the WFI should hold fresh trials to decide and send the best wrestler to the prestigious games.

"All I am asking for is trials. I am not saying that you send me to Rio because of my glorious past. I am only saying that whoever between me and Narsingh is better, should represent the country at Olympics. Since a quota belongs to the country and not to a particular individual, thus, when there are two good contenders, there must be a fair trial. There is a procedure that should be followed," Sushil told PTI.

"Even the reigning world and Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs had to undergo trials to make it to the US team for the Rio Games. It happens everywhere," he added.

With WFI yet to decide on holding the trails, a lot of speculations are doing the rounds.