The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed the petition of India’s two-time wrestling Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar thus seeking directions to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for selection trials to decide as to who will represent India in the 74 Kg freestyle category at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Justice Manmohan said though Sushil Kumar is a ‘legendary’ wrestler, but still WFI’s contention that Narsingh Pancham Yadav is better in 74 kg category cannot be termed as ‘unreasonable’ or ‘perverse’.
The court also observed that Sushil Kumar has himself participated in previous Olympic tournaments without going through selection trials before the main event.
Meanwhile, the High Court issued notice to WFI Vice President Raj Singh asking as to why perjury proceedings should not be initiated against him for giving false affidavit before it.
The court also said since the Olympics are scheduled in August, there is a high probability that the wrestlers might sustain injuries if the selection trial is conducted by any chance.
The order came on the plea moved by 32-year-old Sushil Kumar who had sought a selection trial to decide who would represent the country in the 74 kg category at Rio.
The WFI had opposed his plea saying that the 26-year-old Narsingh was a better bet compared to Sushil, with the latter having participated in the 66 kg category earlier.
The body also said that Yadav had secured a berth for this category at Rio by winning a bronze medal in the World Wrestling Championships held in 2015.
Yadav’s counsel had also opposed Sushil’s plea and told the court that the athlete who secures a berth represents the country in the Olympics.
