In a dramatic turn of events, Shivani Pawar, a 25-year-old wrestler from Madhya Pradesh on Sunday raised serious allegations against Vinesh Phogat, one of India's leading wrestlers.
Shivani claims that the recent Olympic trials were marred by rule violations and unfair decisions, casting a shadow over the sport’s integrity.Shivani, who was vying for a spot in the Paris Olympics, recounted a contentious bout against Phogat, stating, "The match was extremely close, with me leading at certain points. However, due to incorrect points and a questionable decision by the referee, the outcome was skewed, and Phogat was declared the winner."
Despite her attempts to challenge the decision with video evidence, Shivani reported that no corrective action was taken.Adding to the controversy, Shivani has slammed the wrestling authorities for allowing Phogat to compete in two different weight categories—50 kg and 53 kg.
According to Shivani, this contravenes the rule that restricts wrestlers to a single category. She labeled this as “the biggest rule break,” suggesting that it undermines the fairness of the competition.
The allegations have raised questions about the adherence to competition regulations and the decision-making process within the sport. Wrestling officials have yet to respond to these claims, and the community is eagerly awaiting an official statement.
This controversy not only affects the athletes directly involved but also brings into question the broader governance of Indian wrestling. As investigations and discussions continue, the focus will remain on ensuring transparency and fairness in the sport.(UNI)
