Babita Kumari's fortune changed overnight, literally, as the wrestler, who was banned last month, got a berth for the Rio Olympics in a unique way. Along with Babita (53kg free style), 85kg Greco Roman wrestler Ravindra Khatri also has got a quota as two wrestlers in their respective events were found positive of meldonium after winning gold and silver at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Astana, Kazakhstan in March. Babita was banned by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for forfeiting her repechage match in the 1st Olympics qualifier in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in April.
But the United World Wrestling announced that Babita has got an Olympic quota after Mongolia's Sumiya Erdenechimeg, the gold winner at the Asian Wrestling Championships held in Astana, Kazakhstan, in March tested positive. Babita had finished third in the Asian qualifier but since only the top-two wrestlers were eligible to get the quota, the Indian had to return without a Rio berth from Astana.
Khatri, who too had won bronze in Astana, will get the quota as the silver medallist from Kyrgyzstan, Zhanarbek Kenzheev, also failed the test. The sudden events have overwhelmed WFI president Brijbhushan Sharan, and he is now against even mere mention of word `ban'. “It is a proud moment for all the Indians. I am happy that we now have two more wrestlers for Rio,” Sharan said.
When asked whether the ban will be removed, he said, “The ban doesn't matter now. We will of course remove it.” Babita, who had `depressing' 10 days ago, was overjoyed with the developments. “The last 10 days have been very hard for me and my family. The feeling of missing a chance to Rio was depressing. But I am very happy that I have got a quota now. I will now give everything to prepare,”she said.
