Indian wrestlers to compete without Indian flag in World Champion

The United World Wrestling (UWW) has suspended the Wrestling Federation of India due to failure to adhere to the stipulated deadline for the elections for the body. 

The tenure of the previous serving president Brij Bhushan Singh had come to an end in April 2023. He had already served 3 terms amounting to a total of 12 years which is the maximum possible extension that is granted. 

In June, the United World Wrestling had written to the Indian Olympics Association issuing a strict deadline of 45 days to conduct the elections failing which they ran the risk of facing sanctions such as indefinite suspension. The election was planned to be held on August 12th. 

However 2 of the regional bodies of the WFI, The Haryana Amateur Wrestling Association and the Assam Wrestling Association approached the high court stating that they had been unfairly denied the right to participate in the election despite being affiliated to the body. The High Court ruled in their favour and stayed the election. These series of events imply that the wrestlers from India would have to participate as neutral contestants and in case of a podium finish the national anthem would not be played, neither would the Indian nor would the Indian flag be hoisted.