In a huge embarrassment, India's spearhead Yogeshwar Dutt was forced to pull out of the Wrestling World Championships after being found unfit at the eleventh hour, leaving the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) red-faced.
Yogeshwar, who travelled all the way to Las Vegas with the Indian contingent following speculations around his fitness, has been advised to withdraw from the men's 65kg freestyle category after doctors at the venue did not find him 100 per cent fit.
Asked why Yogeshwar was sent to the USA when he was not 100 per cent fit, a top WFI official said that the 32-year-old had assured the federation that he was in good shape and would be able to participate in the tournament.
"Before leaving for the USA, he had recovered from his knee injury and was more than 90 per cent fit. He was expected to be fully fit before his bout, which is scheduled on September 10. But since there is now a chance of that he might cause further damage to his knee if he takes part, it has been decided to pull him out of the tournament," the official told PTI.
The WFI now doesn't wish to risk aggravating his injury.
"He does not have a major injury, just a niggling one but as a precaution, he has been advised against participating in the World Championship. He should not aggravate his injury. And since there are four more qualification tournaments left before the Olympics, it is not wise to take risk," said the official.
The London Olympic bronze medallist had suffered a knee injury some time back but he had claimed that he got the required treatment and was fully fit to take part in the World Championship.
He has been asked to take complete rest and also undergo another knee operation.
