<p>Vinesh Phogat, who was given direct entry to the Asian Games, on Tuesday announced that she won't be able to compete at the quadrennial extravaganza in Hangzhou because of a knee injury, clearing the way for reserve Antim Panghal's inclusion in the squad.</p><p>Vinesh, who won a gold medal in the 2018 edition of the Games, said on X, formerly Twitter, that she suffered the injury on August 13 and will undergo a surgery on August 17 in Mumbai.</p><p>The development means that she will also miss next month's Olympic-qualifying World Championship, the trials for which are scheduled to be held on August 25-26 in Patiala.</p><p>"I wanted to share an extremely sad piece of news. A couple of days ago on 13th August 2023, I injured my left knee in training. After doing the scans and examinations, the doctor has said that unfortunately, surgery is the only option for me to recover," Phogat wrote.</p><p>"I will be undergoing surgery on 17th August in Mumbai. It was my dream to retain my Asian Games gold medal for India which I won in 2018 in Jakarta. But unfortunately, this injury has ruled out my participation now."</p>.<p>Panghal and Sujit Kalkal had dragged Vinesh and Bajrang Punia to court, challenging the direct entries handed to them for the Games but the High Court had dismissed their petition.</p><p>Panghal had won the 53kg trial while Vishal Kaliraman emerged winner in the 65kg category. Both of them were named as reserve players for the Games.</p><p>The exemption from the Asian Games trials given to Vinesh and Punia had created a huge controversy as the wrestling fraternity criticised the decision made by the ad-hoc panel, currently running the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).</p><p>However, as luck would have it, the 28-year-old Vinesh would not be part of the sporting action in Hangzhou, starting September 23.</p><p>The Khap Panchayat held in Sisai village of Haryana had recently favoured the inclusion of Panghal and Kaliraman in the Indian squad.</p><p>Vinesh also said that she has informed all concerned authorities so that the reserve player can be sent to the Asian Games.</p><p>The 19-year-old Panghal, who is in Jordan to compete in the U-20 World Championship, will now represent India in the women's 53kg category.</p><p>"I would like to request all the fans to continue supporting me so that I can make a strong comeback on the mat soon and prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Your support gives me a slot of strength," Vinesh wrote, concluding her statement.</p><p>It has been learnt that Punia has resumed his training. On Tuesday, he practised at Navy's Raipur training centre in Sonepat.</p>
<p>Vinesh Phogat, who was given direct entry to the Asian Games, on Tuesday announced that she won't be able to compete at the quadrennial extravaganza in Hangzhou because of a knee injury, clearing the way for reserve Antim Panghal's inclusion in the squad.</p><p>Vinesh, who won a gold medal in the 2018 edition of the Games, said on X, formerly Twitter, that she suffered the injury on August 13 and will undergo a surgery on August 17 in Mumbai.</p><p>The development means that she will also miss next month's Olympic-qualifying World Championship, the trials for which are scheduled to be held on August 25-26 in Patiala.</p><p>"I wanted to share an extremely sad piece of news. A couple of days ago on 13th August 2023, I injured my left knee in training. After doing the scans and examinations, the doctor has said that unfortunately, surgery is the only option for me to recover," Phogat wrote.</p><p>"I will be undergoing surgery on 17th August in Mumbai. It was my dream to retain my Asian Games gold medal for India which I won in 2018 in Jakarta. But unfortunately, this injury has ruled out my participation now."</p>.<p>Panghal and Sujit Kalkal had dragged Vinesh and Bajrang Punia to court, challenging the direct entries handed to them for the Games but the High Court had dismissed their petition.</p><p>Panghal had won the 53kg trial while Vishal Kaliraman emerged winner in the 65kg category. Both of them were named as reserve players for the Games.</p><p>The exemption from the Asian Games trials given to Vinesh and Punia had created a huge controversy as the wrestling fraternity criticised the decision made by the ad-hoc panel, currently running the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).</p><p>However, as luck would have it, the 28-year-old Vinesh would not be part of the sporting action in Hangzhou, starting September 23.</p><p>The Khap Panchayat held in Sisai village of Haryana had recently favoured the inclusion of Panghal and Kaliraman in the Indian squad.</p><p>Vinesh also said that she has informed all concerned authorities so that the reserve player can be sent to the Asian Games.</p><p>The 19-year-old Panghal, who is in Jordan to compete in the U-20 World Championship, will now represent India in the women's 53kg category.</p><p>"I would like to request all the fans to continue supporting me so that I can make a strong comeback on the mat soon and prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Your support gives me a slot of strength," Vinesh wrote, concluding her statement.</p><p>It has been learnt that Punia has resumed his training. On Tuesday, he practised at Navy's Raipur training centre in Sonepat.</p>