The focus will be on two-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat, who along with 16 other Indian wrestlers will start competing for a Paris Olympics quota in the Asian Olympic qualifiers starting in Bishkek on Friday. As many as 36 quotas will be up for grabs in 18 weight categories across three categories: freestyle, women’s and Greco-Roman during the event, with India representing all but one weight category. 19-year-old Antim Panghal has sealed a quota for India in the women’s 53kg category, where she will clinch a bronze medal at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

It will be time for other Indian wrestlers like Vinesh (60kg), Reetika Hooda (76kg), current under-23 world champion Anshu (57kg), Mansi (62kg) and Nisha (68kg) to perform at their best forward and lock their quota spots.

However, no Indian will come under the scanner like 2018 Asian Games and 2022 Commonwealth Games medalist Vinesh, who was among the Indian wrestlers protesting against former national federation (WFI) president Brigitte Bhushan Sharan. One of the spokespersons of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The 29-year-old has been in the news for the wrong reasons recently, winning the national 50kg trials in March. However, at the trials in Patiala, she competed in the 53kg category after the authorities allowed her to compete, but she lost in the semi-finals.

Vinesh also claimed that her personal trainer and physiotherapist were denied access to the Asian Olympic qualifiers.

She will be desperate to leave all the noise behind and put on a great performance to make her third Olympic appearance.

In the men’s freestyle category, Aman Sherawat (57kg) hogged the limelight after outsmarting Tokyo Olympics medalist Ravi Dahiya at the national trials to earn a spot.

He also looks to be in good form, having won a gold medal at the Zagreb Open in January.

Among them, Sujeet will also be closely watched as he leads the 65kg challenge following the defeat of Tokyo bronze medalist Bajrang Punia.

Deepak Punia (86kg), who came close to winning a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, will also look forward to a good contest, while Jaideep (74kg), Deepak (97kg) and Sumit (125kg) will also look to put on their best game to defeat their opponents. Apply for quota from India.

There will be no gold, resurrection or bronze medal fights in the continental qualifying round, with the winner of each Olympic heavyweight semi-final earning a spot to represent their country at the Paris Games.

Greco-Roman players Sumit (60kg), Ashu (67kg), Vikas (77kg), Sunil (87kg), Nitesh (97kg) and Naveen ( 130kg) will have a wonderful performance.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)