Since WFI suspended operations in response to protests against former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, all age-group competitions were suspended.
The Senior National Championships, which will take place in Jaipur from January 2–5, will mark the return of domestic wrestling competition after a nine-month break, as the ad hoc committee stated on Friday.
Following the protests by elite wrestlers against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in April, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) suspended all wrestling tournaments at all age groups. The ad hoc committee held open trials before selecting teams for the Asian Games and other international competitions. The fact that there could be no national camp this year was the biggest setback, though.
“The ad hoc Committee for WFI has decided to organize the 2023 Senior freestyle, Greco Roman, and women’s National Wrestling Championships from Jan 2 to 5, 2024,” the announcement stated.
Top wrestlers Anshu Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Ravi Dahiya—all of whom are recovering from injuries—have not yet been confirmed to compete. Asian Games competitor and bronze medallist Bajrang Punia would like to start his season with the national title.
The two important competitions are the World Olympic Qualifiers in Turkey from May 9–12 and the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Kyrgyzstan from April 19–21. Wrestlers who receive quotas for the Paris Olympics have already been informed by the ad hoc committee that winning selection trials at home is required to secure their seats.