WFI Hopes For Reprieve After US Embassy Rejects Visa Applications Of 9 Indian Wrestlers | Other-sports News

Last Updated:October 12, 2026, 11:52 IST

The Wrestling Federation of India is awaiting a US Embassy reconsideration.

All men’s freestyle wrestlers have been issued visas. (AFP Photo)

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is hopeful that the US Embassy will reconsider the visa rejections of four women wrestlers selected for the U23 World Championships, with the women’s events in Las Vegas scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

Five Greco-Roman wrestlers and four women grapplers were denied visas on the grounds that they were under 20 years of age and unemployed.

The WFI is hoping that the two-day window after Sunday will allow the embassy to review its decision and grant visas to Parveen (50kg), Ahilya Shatrughn Shinde (55kg), Neha Sharma (57kg) and Neha Sangwan (65kg) before the women’s competition gets underway.

WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar said the federation was making every possible effort to resolve the matter and remained optimistic about a favourable outcome.

“We are hopeful that the US Embassy will reconsider the decision, particularly in the case of our women wrestlers. They have prepared for this competition and we are making every possible effort to ensure that they get an opportunity to represent India at the World Championships,” Tomar told PTI.

The U23 World Championships begin in Las Vegas on Monday (October 12).

The five Greco-Roman wrestlers whose visa applications were rejected are Samarth Gajanan Mhakave, Dheeraj Kumar Malik, Sachin Kumar, Nikhil and Hardeep.

The Greco-Roman competition begins on Monday, with bouts scheduled in the 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg and 97kg categories.

Among the women wrestlers, visas have been granted to Sweety (53kg), Komal (59kg), Vaishnavi Patil (65kg), Mansi Lather (68kg), Amruta Pujari (72kg) and Diksha Malik (76kg).

All Indian men’s freestyle wrestlers have received their visas.

With PTI Inputs

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Why were US visa applications rejected for several Indian wrestlers heading to the U23 World Championships?

The US Embassy denied visa applications for five Greco-Roman wrestlers and four women grapplers on the grounds that they were under 20 years of age and unemployed.

Which Indian women wrestlers are facing visa rejections ahead of the U23 World Championships in Las Vegas?

The women wrestlers facing visa rejections include Parveen (50kg), Ahilya Shatrughn Shinde (55kg), Neha Sharma (57kg) and Neha Sangwan (65kg).

What steps is the WFI taking following the US Embassy’s decision to deny visas to the Indian grapplers?

The Wrestling Federation of India remains optimistic and is making every possible effort during the two-day window to have the US Embassy reconsider its decision so the athletes can represent India.

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Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More

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