The United World Wrestling confirmed on Thursday that it has shifted the Asian Wrestling Championship from New Delhi to Astana. The tournament was supposed to be held in India from March 28 to April 2 but will now take place from April 7 to 15 in Kazakhstan. UWW was reportedly forced to change the host of the continental championships due to the recent allegations on Wrestling Federation of India Chief Brij Bhushan Singh of sexual misconduct with female wrestlers.
Apart from the senior competition, the U-17 and U23 Asian Championships are set to return to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan for a second straight year. The tournament will take place from June 10 to 18. Astana hosted the World Championships in 2019 and Kazakhstan was the host of the Asian Championship in 2021 as well. The city of Almaty also hosted the third Ranking Series event last year. Additionally, the dates of the U-15 and U-20 Asian Championships have been modified and they will take place in Amman, Jordan from July 12 to 20.
Earlier, a protest in New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar triggered massive controversy among the sports community which also led to the intervention of Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. An oversight committee, headed by legendary boxer Mary Kom, was formed on January 23 and directed to inquire into the allegations of the wrestlers and submit a report within four weeks. A 2-week extension of deadline for the committee was given on Thursday.
Several top Indian wrestlers, including Olympic medalists Ravi Dahiya, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, protested against the WFI, alleging sexual harassment of female wrestlers from former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who stepped down from the role. The likes of Vinesh Phogat and other top wrestlers also alleged that the WFI president threatened the wrestlers and also mismanagement by the governing body of the sport in India.
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