NEW DELHI: Vinesh Phogat, an Indian wrestler, will compete in the United World Wrestling (UWW) Yasar Dogu international competition in Istanbul, Turkey, from February 24 to 27.

Vinesh Phogat hasn't participated since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, when she was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the women's 53kg event.

Vinesh Phogat withdrew from the world championships selection trials after missing the national championships due to hazy vision. In September, she underwent elbow surgery.

Vinesh Phogat was supposed to make a comeback in the Matteo Pellicone ranking series tournament in Rome, Italy. However, due to COVID-19, the event, which was originally scheduled from February 4 to 7, was rescheduled for June.

Tokyo Olympic medalists Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Bajrang Punia are among the other top Indian wrestlers slated to compete in Turkey.

Deepak Punia, who finished third in the 86kg weight class in Tokyo, is also expected to compete.

While Bajrang Punia is expected to compete in the standard 65kg weight class, Ravi Kumar Dahiya is another Indian who is expected to bulk up for the Istanbul event. Dahiya will move up from the 57kg weight class to the 61kg weight class.

Wrestlers from India will have a busy season in 2022. The wrestlers will prepare for the Asian wrestling championships in April after the match in Istanbul.

The Commonwealth Games will be held in July-August, followed by the Asian Games in September. Vinesh Phogat is the current Asian and Commonwealth Games champion in the women's 50kg weight class.

Edited - SportsAction / Inputs - Agency