Pro Wrestling League: Yogeshwar’s participation unlikely

India's wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt is likely to opt out of the Pro Wrestling League, scheduled for December as his wedding is scheduled in January next year.

Yogeshwar Dutt is scheduled to get married in January, 2017.

India's wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt is likely to opt out of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL), scheduled for December as his wedding is scheduled in January next year.

“It is very difficult for me to be a part of PWL as the League will take place in December and my wedding is in January. Although I have still not ruled it out completely, it seems unlikely,” Yogeshwar told PTI .

Asked if he is fit and has been training regularly, Yogeshwar said: “Yes, I am fit and train everyday. It is only because of the fact that my wedding date so near to the competition that it might be a little difficult for me to be a part of the League.”

In the inaugural edition of the PWL last year, the 33-year-old grappler was ruled out mid-way through tournament after sustaining an injury, but he did well in the initial rounds to ensure that his team made it to the final, in which Haryana lost to Mumbai.

Even the sources in the PWL organising committee on Thursday claimed that Yogeshwar was not likely to take part in the competition, though they were still in talks with him. “Because of his wedding, Yogeshwar may not be able to take part in the competition but we are in talks with him and are trying our best to bring him on board as he is one of the most popular wrestlers in the country,” a source claimed.

Yogeshwar was last seen in action at the Rio Olympic Games, where he crashed out of the tournament after losing his qualification bout in the men’s 65kg freestyle category.

Touted as one of the strongest medal prospects for India, Yogeshwar looked a pale shadow of his previous gritty self as he lost in the initial round of his weight division at the Rio Games.

Sushil likely to exit amateur arena

Meanwhile, India’s double-Olympic medallist Sushil is in talks with the top officials of WWE and other professional leagues across the world with an aim to move into professional wrestling. Although he also hasn’t ruled out becoming a part of PWL, he is on the verge of bidding goodbye to amateur arena.

Another big name in Indian wrestling - Narsingh Yadav - who is serving a four-year ban imposed on his by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will also be missing from the mat.