The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) announced on November 14 that it has revoked the suspensions previously handed to Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat and promising wrestler Neha Sangwan.
Aman Sehrawat, Neha Sangwan's Suspensions lifted
Aman Sehrawat and Neha Sangwan had been suspended for the disciplinary offense of jumping their prescribed weight limits, which led to their disqualification at the World Championships and World Under-20 Championships, respectively. WFI's decision means, both the wrestlers will be able to enter the auction for the upcoming Pro Wrestling League (PWL).
The WFI took this decision after carefully reviewing apology letters submitted by both Sehrawat and Sangwan, and following consultations with the country's top wrestling coaches. With the suspension now lifted, both wrestlers are immediately eligible to participate in various upcoming events, including the prestigious Asian Games scheduled for next year.
The initial disciplinary action saw Neha (59kg) being suspended for two years after she was found to be overweight at the World U-20 Championships held in Bulgaria in August. Similarly, Aman (57kg) had been suspended for one year after failing to meet the weight stipulation at the World Championships in Croatia in September.
The disciplinary process leading to the revocation began with the WFI issuing show-cause notices to the athletes—Neha on August 25 and Aman on September 22, with their replies received on September 18 and September 28, respectively. Notices were also issued to the coaches appointed for the Zagreb event. In their written submissions, the wrestlers admitted the violation, terming the incident their "first lapse," and provided firm assurances to the federation that such violations related to weight management would not recur.
WFI president Sanjay Singh's strict warning for wrestlers
A meeting of the WFI Disciplinary Committee was convened on November 13 to examine the replies. The committee noted that both athletes possess a strong track record of successful performances at the international level and recommended a lenient view be taken in light of their past achievements. Accepting this recommendation, WFI president Sanjay Kumar Singh subsequently issued an official order lifting the suspensions and allowing both wrestlers to participate in all future competitions.
However, the federation emphasised that the lifting of the suspension came with a strong caveat. The WFI strictly cautioned both Aman Sehrawat and Neha Sangwan that any future repeat offense relating to weight management or general discipline would immediately attract "stricter disciplinary action."
“Yes, we have decided to lift the suspension as this was their first lapse. The wrestlers have committed that there won’t be any more such lapses and they will be careful in the future,” WFI president Sanjay Singh told Indian Express.
“There was a meeting yesterday and everybody is of the opinion that the wrestlers have been performing well at the international level. So, we decided to go ahead with the committee’s recommendation,” he added.
When WFI president Sanjay Kumar Singh was asked what measures the federation would take in the event of another disciplinary lapse by the wrestlers, he issued a firm warning. Singh stated unequivocally, "Any repeat offence will mean that we will take stricter disciplinary action."