Amit Kumar,who won India the first gold medal at the Asian Championships held here,was warned by the referee for grabbing the wrist of his North Korean opponent Yang Kyong II. Another such offense would have meant conceding a point and falling behind in the bout. Amit,though,stayed out of trouble but a few others failed to comprehend the slight change in implementation of this rule.
Earlier,the referee used to stop the bout and call out ‘attention’ after numerous tickings off to tell the wrestler and coaches that they are about to get called for a caution and a one-point deduction. One more offence and the point is conceded after a nod from the mat chairman.
There are other changes mooted by FILA too. The rule that gives a wrestler a point for pushing his opponent out of the mat or the system of breaking the deadlock with a clinch are also on their way out. The idea is to reward attacking play.
Grabbing of wrist,locking fingers and pushing a wrestler using one’s head are few of the tactics pehelvans pick up from the Dangal scene all devised to stall the opponent in mud. These ‘underhand’ tactics also give them a chance to catch their breath. All these slow down wrestling,according to FILA.
Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt,naturally attacking wrestlers,may not have to worry,but the rest,used to the ‘mitti kushti style’,will have to look out.
(Vinayak is a principal correspondent based in Delhi.)vinayakbhushan.padmadeo@expressindia.com
