New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS): The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has announced a 30-member squad to represent the country at the Asian Under-15 Wrestling Championship to be held in Taichung City of Chinese Taipei from November 22-24. The squad has been selected after WFI conducted trials for boys in Sonepat and girls in Lucknow.
Following an inspiring show last year from both the boys and girls, India will be keen to continue its medal-winning spree. Last year, India finished third in freestyle after collecting a rich haul of eight medals with Aman (52kg) bringing home the solitary gold from Iran. The girls did an equally impressive job in Japan, bagging seven medals, highlighted by three gold medals for Pooja Rani (33kg), Komal (36kg) and Sweety (43kg).
The stellar display from the girls helped them log in 181 points to finish in second position behind the hosts Japan.
This year, boys and girls will be competing simultaneously at the same tournament, where India will be banking on 2019 Cadet World Championships bronze medallists Udit Kumar (57kg) and Deepak Chahal (75kg), both of whom will be making their debut at the Asian U-15 Wrestling Championships.
"The boys have undergone rigorous training, where we have worked hard on every aspect of the game. We are confident of a good show and are hoping to bring back medals," said National U-15 freestyle coach, Ranveer Singh Rahal.
Among the girls, the one to watch out for will be Komal (39kg), who clinched gold at the Cadet World Championships in 40kg earlier in the year.