New Delhi: Olympian and 2012 World Championship bronze medallist Geeta Phogat (59kg) will spearhead the Indian charge in the 2013 Asian Wrestling Championship that will be held in the capital city of New Delhi from April 18 to 22. The 24 year old, who bagged a podium finish at the 2012 Asian Championship with a bronze, will be aiming for a different colour medal this time around.

“The Asian Championships will be a good test for us as some of the best wrestling nations will be  participating. The championship will also provide me a good opportunity to access my game before the world championship later this year,” said Geeta.

Another bronze medal winner at the 2012 World Championships Babita Kumari (55kg) will also be vying for a podium finish at KD Jadhav Wrestling stadium in the capital. The 23 year old who narrowly missed on a medal at the Dave Schultz Memorial International tournament, will look to make amends in the continental championships.

Chief national coach OP Yadav believes the tournament will be an ideal opportunity for Indian women to excel with home advantage providing a big boost for their chances. He also stated, “The women’s discipline in the sport has witnessed a gradual but steady rise in the country. Geeta has pioneered the way and given the future women wrestles the required impetus to dream big. Indian women have been performing consistently in the world state and this Asian championship will play a very significant role in the growth of the sport in India”. Talking about the composition of the team he added, “The team is almost the same as the one which partook in the 2013 World Cup in Mongolia; it is an experienced lot of wrestlers that has come through the trials. We have been prepared very hard and tra! ining on various aspects of the game at the national camp and I am confident of a favourable result.”

The team was selected based on the trials held at the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, Punjab on the 2nd of Apr, 2013. The selection was of a very competitive standard in all weight categories and the deserving wrestlers in their respective weights have been short-listed.

The Complete squad is as follows: