Rio dream over? Sushil loses court battle with Narsingh

NEW DELHI: Sushil Kumar's Olympic saga ended in a court room, with the Delhi high court on Monday ruling against his plea to be allowed a trial against Narsingh Yadav, in the hope of participating in the

Rio Games

. Even if he now decides to move the Supreme Court, he will face an uphill battle and only further embitter an already contentious process.

Instead, Sushil -who won an Olympic bronze in 2008 and silver in 2012 -could enhance his reputation if he graciously allows Narsingh -the 74kg wrestler who had won India the quota place -to regroup and focus on Rio.

Justice Manmohan said allowing a trial may "jeopar dise" the chances of the selected candidate, and the country would be the "loser". "In international arena of sports, medals are won not only by brawn but also by brain. The last-minute challenge to selection can disturb the mental preparation of the selected," the court ruled in favour of Narsingh, who is currently in Europe for training.

The Sushil camp later indicated that they would consult the Wrestling Federation of India before deciding on whether to challenge the verdict.

Monday's High Court verdict brings to a close a longdrawn out battle between Sushil and Narsingh that never reached the wrestling mat. Out of active competition since the past two years due to injury, Sushil may have found this aspect going against him in his plea that all he was asking was for a trial for Rio. While reports suggested that he was in prime form following his training and rehabilitation in Sonepat's SAI Centres, it remains to be seen where the 33-year-old world and Olympic champion wrestler goes from here. Does he pick himself up once again to prove his worth in the world meets, or does he bow out gracefully.

For the 26-year-old Varanasiborn Narsingh, the legal battle may have proved a needless headache in his preparations, but for the moment he is in the clear to represent India at Rio.

Justice Manmohan acknowledged Sushil's feats in the international arena and termed him a "legendary wrestler" in the 66kg weight category but did not allow him to have a chance to compete for the Olympic berth in the 74kg category, saying that it was "untenable in law as well as contrary to facts".

Olympic shooting medallist Abhinav Bindra too felt spending time away from competitive tournaments went against the double Olympic-medal winning wrestler. "Sushil Kumar is a legend. He should go to Rio to support Narsingh from the sidelines. Will only enhance his stature," Bindra tweeted.

Delivering the verdict, the court accepted WFI's submission that Narsingh's "consistent current form" was better than Sushil's. It also took note of the fact that Sushil failed to take part in selection trials in 2014 and 2015 as well as in the National Championship on December 31, 2015, and January 1, 2016, and the Asian Championship held later in February 2016.

On Sushil Kumar's contention that he was sent to Georgia and Sonepat (Haryana) for training in 2016, the court said it "does not mean that it is mandatory to hold a trial today".

"A sportsperson innocently asking for 'just a trial' may be jeopardising the chances of the selected candidate to win, having disastrous consequences for national interest. In the duel asked for, the country will be the loser," the court said.

Also due to short-time gap between the event and the filing of the writ as well as high probability of an injury in a trial, Sushil Kumar's prayer cannot be allowed, it said.

"It is not understood as to why Sushil Kumar has challenged Narsingh Yadav to a 'duel' only in the month of May 2016, i.e. with only two and a half months left for the Olympics," the court observed. "Sushil Kumar being a professional wrestler himself would know that any direction to hold a trial at this stage would seriously jeopardise the chance of India winning a medal in the Olympics inasmuch as Narsingh Yadav would have to halt his training midway and would have to lose his weight earlier than scheduled," it added.