The Federation Cup wrestling tournament kicked off at the Maharaja Vibhuti Narain Singh Indoor Stadium on the Banaras Hindu University campus, promising three days of intense competition for both seasoned wrestlers and up-and-coming talents.
Among the notable names participating in the event are national silver medallist Sahil Kundu, international wrestler Sonba Gongane, and Asian under-15 Greco Roman medallist Omkar Patil. These wrestlers, along with others like Antim Kundu, Sushma Shokeen, and Bipasha, have a track record of success in national and international competitions.
For Patil, this tournament holds special significance as it marks his last year as an under-23 wrestler. He sees this competition as crucial preparation for upcoming Asian and world-level events, aiming to further hone his skills and showcase his talent on the mat.
The tournament will feature freestyle competitions on Wednesday, followed by women’s and Greco-Roman bouts on Thursday and Friday respectively. This event is the first elite-level competition organized by the Wrestling Federation of India since the lifting of its suspension by United World Wrestling in February.
In addition to the wrestling matches, the WFI has also scheduled the Athletes’ Commission elections to take place during the Federation Cup. Eight athletes, including former Worlds bronze medallist Narsingh Yadav, are vying for five positions on the commission. The elections will be conducted under the supervision of returning officer Justice (retd) Anil Kumar Singh, with two members from each of the 25 affiliated units casting their votes.