IOA, WFI to aid wrestlers' preps for Paris Games; Vinesh to have company of her personal coach & physio

NEW DELHI: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) have taken a significant step forward in a concerted effort to provide unprecedented support to the nation's wrestlers ahead of the Paris Olympic Games. IOA and WFI have strung together a comprehensive support team for the wrestlers.
It will include experienced coaches, physiotherapists, nutritionists, mental conditioning coaches, and other essential staff, all dedicated to the well-being and performance enhancement of the wrestlers.
Besides the overarching support framework, two-time World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat's request for additional support to aid her in her preparation to compete at the Olympics has also been accepted. Recognising the importance of her request, an extra layer of support staff will be provided to cater to her needs.
Vinesh will have the company of her Hungarian coach Woller Akos, whom she has been training under since 2018, and physiotherapist Ashwini Jeevan Patil till Paris. They will travel with her during international meets and training camps abroad leading up to the Games.
Earlier this month, the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) had approved her proposals, which included financial assistance towards competition and training camp in Madrid followed by a training camp in Boulogne sur-Mer, France. The two-time Olympian will also compete in the Spanish Grand Prix in July before heading to Boulogne sur-Mer for a 20-day training ahead of the Games.
IOA president PT Usha said supporting the athletes' quest for success is of utmost priority. "By providing an extensive support team, we aim to ensure that our wrestlers have access to the best resources, enabling their peak performance. This decision aligns with our commitment to foster an environment where athletes can thrive," she added.
WFI president Sanjay Singh said the federation is committed to supporting all its athletes in every possible way. "We will ensure that Vinesh and all our wrestlers receive the necessary support to excel and keep India's flag flying."
The initiative is part of the larger mission of the IOA and WFI to continuously improve the training, preparation, and overall support mechanisms available to all Indian athletes. The goal is to create a sustainable model of excellence that can propel Indians to greater heights on the global stage.
Apart from Vinesh (women's 50kg), Antim Panghal (53kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), Reetika Hooda (76kg) and Aman Sehrawat (men's 57kg) have qualified for Paris.
Wrestling has seen podium finishers in each of the Olympic Games since 2008. With as many as seven medals, including two silver and five bronze, wrestling is the second only to hockey in terms of medals won by Indians.