Eight-Year Ban, Positive Tests And Missed Doping Checks: Indian Wrestling Faces A Crisis

India’s emerging wrestling talent faces a difficult career decision as the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided to field separate squads for the U23 and Senior World Championships, with the two competitions scheduled only days apart.

The U23 World Championships will be held in the United States from October 12 to 18, while the Senior World Championships are scheduled in Kazakhstan from October 24 to November 1. The tight turnaround has prompted the federation to prevent wrestlers who qualify for the U23 team from also competing in the senior selection trials.

Under the WFI’s decision, wrestlers qualifying through the U23 selection trials on August 31 and September 1 will represent India at the U23 Worlds and will not be permitted to participate in the senior World Championship trials.

The federation has maintained that the move is aimed at protecting athletes and ensuring that teams at both levels get sufficient preparation time. With travel between continents, recovery and training all requiring time, the WFI believes separate squads will give wrestlers a better chance of producing strong performances.

However, the decision could prove significant for several young wrestlers who are already making their mark internationally. Hansika Lamba, competing in the 53kg category, won a silver medal at the U23 World Championships in Serbia. Nishu (55kg) and Neha Sharma (57kg) claimed bronze medals, while Srishti (68kg) and Priya (76kg) also returned with bronze medals.

For these wrestlers, competing at the senior Worlds could provide valuable exposure against more experienced opponents and potentially accelerate their development.

Men’s freestyle wrestler Sujeet Kalkal, who won U23 World Championships gold in Serbia, has already chosen the senior route.

The WFI’s decision therefore puts the spotlight on a delicate balance between protecting young wrestlers from an exhausting schedule and giving them opportunities to test themselves at the highest level. The federation hopes separate teams will allow both groups to prepare adequately and give India its best chance of success at the two global championships.