Vinesh Phogat will return to competitive wrestling at the Budapest Ranking Series 2023.
The tournament, also known as the Polyak Imre & Varga Janos Memorial, will take place in Hungary from Thursday and will conclude on July 16.
Ranking series events are crucial for wrestlers as they earn points that determine their seedings in major competitions like the World Championships. The World Wrestling Championships, scheduled to be held in Belgrade, Serbia from September 16 to 24, will serve as a qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Phogat, competing in the 55kg category, will face tough competition from top wrestlers such as USA's Jacarra Gwenisha Winchester and China's Li Deng, who are among the notable participants in the women's 55kg division.
While Sarita Mor (women’s 59kg), Sujeet (men’s 65kg), and Greco-Roman wrestler Sunil Kumar initially planned to compete, they have withdrawn from the tournament. Sangeeta Phogat (women's 65kg) will join Vinesh as the only other Indian wrestler in action in Budapest.
The Budapest Ranking Series 2023 marks a significant event for Vinesh Phogat as she resumes her journey in competitive wrestling following a lengthy break as she was one of the leaders in the wrestlers' protest against WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
She last participated in a competition at the Commonwealth Games 2022 where she won gold in the 53kg category.
Indian wrestlers have shown promising performances in ranking series tournaments this year. They have already secured two bronze medals each in the Zagreb and Ibrahim Moustafa ranking series tournaments. Additionally, at the Bishkek ranking series, India clinched one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.
Where to watch Budapest Ranking Series 2023 wrestling live in India
The Budapest Ranking Series will be live streamed on the United World Wrestling’s (UWW) website and YouTube channel.
MORE: Latest sports betting and odds
Budapest Ranking Series 2023: Indian squad
Women's freestyle: Vinesh Phogat (55kg), Sangeeta (65kg)
Budapest Ranking Series 2023 schedule and live start times for India
All in India Standard Times (IST)
July 13, Thursday
- Men’s freestyle qualification rounds and repechage: 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg, 97kg and 125kg - 2:00 PM onwards
- Men's freestyle finals: 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg, 97kg and 125kg - 9:30 PM onwards
July 14, Friday
- Men’s freestyle qualification rounds and repechage: 61kg, 70kg and 79kg - 2:00 PM onwards
- Women’s freestyle qualification rounds and repechage: 50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 62kg and 68kg - 2:00 PM onwards
- Men’s freestyle finals: 61kg, 70kg and 79kg - 9:30 PM onwards
- Women’s freestyle finals: 50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 62kg and 68kg - 10:30 PM onwards
July 15, Saturday
- Women’s freestyle qualification rounds and repechage: 55kg, 59kg, 65kg, 72kg and 76kg - 2:00 PM onwards
- Men’s Greco-Roman qualification rounds and repechage: 55kg, 60kg and 63kg - 2:00 PM onwards
- Women’s freestyle finals: 55kg, 59kg, 65kg, 72kg and 76kg - 9:30 PM onwards
- Men’s Greco-Roman finals: 55kg, 60kg and 63kg - 10:30 PM onwards
July 16, Sunday
- Men’s Greco-Roman qualification rounds and repechage: 67kg, 72kg, 77kg, 82kg, 87kg, 97kg, 130kg - 2:00 PM onwards
- Men’s Greco-Roman finals: 67kg, 72kg, 77kg, 82kg, 87kg, 97kg, 130kg - 9:30 PM onwards