Wrestlers leave for US tourney sans Sushil; Yogeshwar doubtful

New Delhi: Olympic medallists Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt have opted out of travelling with the 10-strong Indian wrestling contingent, which will leave for the Dave Schultz Memorial International tournament in Colorado Springs from January 30 to February 1, here tonight.

Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil and London Games bronze medallist Yogeshwar will not be a part of the touring squad for the training-cum-competition programme, starting January 17th, due to their respective personal issues.

The contingent comprises Amit Kumar Dhankhar, Amit Kumar Dahiya, Sandeep Tomar, Bajrang, Rahul Aware, Praveen Rana, Pawan Kumar, Satyavrat Kadian, Jaideep and Rohit Patel and will be accompanied by chief national coach Vinod Kumar.

Sushil became the father of twin boys last week and it has been learnt that he wants to spend some more time with his newborns before embarking on a fortnight long journey to the USA.

India's only double Olympic individual medallist, Sushil has conveyed his decision to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and will be taking a flight to the USA this coming weekend or early next week.

In case of Yogeshwar, he has to appear for his Deputy Superintendent examination with Haryana Police from January 17 to 24 as he is still a probationary officer. Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had, in August 2008, announced that four players of the state, including Yogeshwar would be appointed as DSP in recognition of his significant achievements.

Yogeshwar had presented his joining report as DSP in January 2009 at the police headquarters in Panchkula but since then, he hasn't been able to appear for the written test to officially join the posting.

"I was undergoing DSP training with the Haryana police since 2009 after presenting my joining report to DGP R S Dalal. I could not sit for the written examination on earlier occasions due to my hectic international schedule. I am still a probationary officer and to formally join the rank as DSP, I need to clear my test papers," Yogeshwar told PTI.

"This is the only time I will get (for the examination) before the season kicks off with Colarado Springs tournament. There is Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the World Championships lined up this year and I want to get this weight off my back," Yogeshwar added.

He said he is doubtful for the Colarado Springs tournament and will take a call on it after the written examination depending on his fitness and weight. This would also be the first time post FILA's re-jigging of weight classes that Yogeshwar will be seen competing in the higher category (65kg) in the Colarado Springs tournament if, at all, he decides to travel to the USA.

The tournament will also mark the return of the grappler to the international arena after the 2012 London Games, in which, he had competed in 60kg freestyle category. He will compete in the newly-included 65kg in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

"It's unlikely that I will travel to the USA with less than a week left for the tournament after my papers. I need proper training and this would also be the first time that I would be competing in the new weight category. The world's best grapplers would be there and I don't want to compete when I am not fully prepared. But, I will take a call on my participation after 25th. Till that time, I can't say much," he said.