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Sushil Kumar or Narsingh Yadav: Who deserves to represent India in 74kg category at Rio Olympics 2016?
Fighting for his case, Sushil said that the WFI should hold fresh trials to decide and send the best wrestler to the prestigious games.
New Delhi: The ongoing debate over whether to send Sushil Kumar or Narsingh Yadav for the upcoming Rio Olympics in Rio is yet to reach its conclusion.
While Sushil's name was not included in the list of probables sent to Indian Olympics Association (IOA) by Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the two-time medalist has requested for fresh trials between the two to decide the best candidate to represent India at the Olympics.
Here is all you need to know about the issue:
Narsingh earned his ticket for the Rio Olympics by clinching a bronze medal at the World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas last year in 74kg division freestyle wrestling.
According to the rules, the one winning the quota represents the country at Olympics.
Sushil did not participate in that event due to a shoulder injury.
Sushil, who previously competed in the 66kg category, had to switch to the 74kg category due to international wrestling federation's decision to merge weight categories in 2013.
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.
On the other hand, Sushil Kumar too, deserves to get a final chance to contest through fresh trials as he is the only Indian Olympian to have won two medals at the biggest sporting extravaganza.
Meanwhile on Thursday, Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal refused to be drawn into the raging controversy on the Olympic participation of wrestlers Sushil Kumar and Narsingh Yadav, saying he won't "interfere" in the matter and it has to be resolved by the Federation.
WFI has so far not clarified on the issue, leaving room for speculation and controversy.