India’s top wrestler Bajrang Punia will not be seen in action during this year’s Yasar Dogu tournament in Istanbul, Turkey. His presence has been requested in Mongolia instead.Top wrestlers from Asia will compete against the Mongolian team in all the 12 weight categories. Lalita, who competes in the 53kg division, is the only other Indian in fray at the Mongolian tournament.

Punia, who is currently the top-ranked wrestler in the world in the 65 kg category, is scheduled to represent Asia in the Star of Asia competition in Ulanbaatar on July 13.

The decision to enter Bajrang’s name was taken last week after a personal request by the president of Asia Council and bureau member of United World Wrestling Daulet Turylkhanov. “He requested for Bajrang’s participation at the Mongolian tournament. We have agreed,” Vinod Tomar, assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India, said. “Since the dates of both the tournaments are clashing, Bajrang will only participate in Mongolia.”

Yasar Dogu is scheduled to be held from July 11 to 14, while the Star of Asia event will be held on July 13. Bajrang had won gold last year at the Yasar Dogu tournament after his opponent, Ukraine’s Andriy Kvyatkovskyy, withdrew from the 70kg final due to an injury.

Meanwhile, the Indian team is flying out to Istanbul in the early hours of Wednesday for a training stint before the competition. Punia will be joining the training camp on June 28.