Narsingh Yadav set to compete at Individual World Cup after recovering from COVID-19

Indian wrestler Narsingh Yadav is all set to participate at the Individual World Cup in Belgrade after he tested negative for the coronavirus in the latest round of results.

He had tested positive for the virus along with fellow grappler Gurpreet Singh and thus was kept on waiting list for participating in the event. However, the results of the latest round of testings conducted by Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) returned negative results for Yadav and his path is all clear now to fly to Syria. Gurpreet is also expected to join him in Belgrade once he returns a negative test as well.

As confirmed by the National Federation, the 31-year-old will replace Jitender Kinha in the 74 Kg category and will travel with the freestyle wrestling team on December 14 to Belgrade.

“I just had a minor cold, there was no fever or any other symptom for the virus, so I knew that it (test) will be negative. I have been training well for this tournament. We will do well in Serbia,” Narsingh told PTI.

Other top Indian wrestlers like Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sushil Kumar have decided to skip this event in order to prepare better for the Olympics.

However, this is a very good opportunity for Narsingh Yadav to get some competitive game time as he has been out of action for four years following a doping one.

“Whether it is the world championship or World Cup, it still is an international tournament. I will compete after a long, long time, it will be good exposure for tournaments ahead,” Narisingh reckoned.

“It is important to play since the tournament is being held after a long time. We won’t know our level unless we compete. There were no tournaments due to coronavirus pandemic, so it is very important for me to compete here,” he added.

India hasn’t won an Olympic Quota in the 74 Kg category yet. But with the postponement of the Olympic event, the doors are still open and we are going to see a battle between Narsingh Yadav, Jitendra Kinha and Sushil Kumar at the national level for that freestyle spot.