Two-time Olympic medal winner Sushil Kumar has requested the Wrestling Federation of India to hold trials to choose the best wrestler in the men's 74kg freestyle category for the upcoming Rio Games.
Narsingh Yadav currently holds India's Olympic quota in that category, having won the bronze medal at the World Championship in Las Vegas last year. However, Sushil, who won the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a silver medal at the London Games four year later, felt a "procedure" must be followed to ensure India selected the best wrestler between the two. The WFI is yet to respond to Sushil's request.
"All I am asking for is trials. I am not saying that you send me to Rio because of my glorious past. I am only saying that whoever between me and Narsingh is better, should represent the country at Olympics. Since a quota belongs to the country and not to a particular individual, when there are two good contenders, there must be a fair trial. There is a procedure that should be followed," Sushil told PTI.
"Even the reigning world and Olympic champion, Jordan Burroughs, had to undergo trials to make it to the US team for the Rio Games. It happens everywhere.
"The Sports Authority of India and the government have spent a lot of money on my preparation and it is only just that I am given an opportunity to prove that I have utilised every bit of that.
"I would not have asked for the trials if I was not well prepared. I am asking for it because I am feeling extremely fit and my preparations are top class. I am confident of doing well if I go to Rio. I have been at three Olympics already and won a medal twice. My only aim is to win another medal for India."