'Overweight' Neha Sangwan disqualified from U-20 World wrestling

NEW DELHI: In a disappointing turn of events, India found itself without representation in the women’s 59kg category at the ongoing U-20 World Wrestling Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria.

The previous edition’s bronze medallist, Neha Sangwan, was disqualified by organisers for being overweight by one kilogram during the weigh-in ahead of her opening competition round.

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30 Indian wrestlers are participating in the Worlds in each of the 10 weight categories – men’s and women’s freestyle and greco-roman – over two competition days. Sources said that Neha and the coaching staff worked through the night to reduce her weight below 59 kg for the mandatory weigh-in.

However, the United World Wrestling’s (UWW) medical control board found her a kilogram over, leading to her elimination from the tournament.Competition rules stipulate that any wrestler failing the weigh-in on either day is eliminated from the championships. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has sought explanations from both the wrestler and coaching staff regarding the oversight that resulted in Neha’s disqualification.

WFI officials emphasised the importance of adhering to weight regulations and the impact such errors can have on the country’s representation in international competitions.“It’s sheer incompetence on the part of the coaches. How could they not assess that the wrestler is weighing more than her permissible weight limit? Neha was a strong medal contender in her weight category, and the federation had high expectations from her. The country has lost a medal because of this disappointing development,” a WFI official told TOI.Neha had won bronze in the 57kg category in 2024 edition of the event in Pontevedra, Spain, before moving up to 59kg.