The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has taken a strong stance against age fraud, disqualifying more than 500 wrestlers at the U-17 ranking tournament. The event was held from June 6 to 8 in the Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh.
Massive Disqualification at U-17 Ranking Meet
According to WFI officials, approximately 1,200 wrestlers had registered for the tournament across men's freestyle, Greco Roman, and women's categories. However, during the verification process, it was discovered that over 500 participants had submitted false age documents.
The WFI has implemented strict age verification measures, including medical examinations, to ensure fair competition. This crackdown is part of a broader effort to eliminate age fraud in Indian wrestling.
Officials stated that the disqualified wrestlers will face further scrutiny and possible bans depending on the severity of the violation. The move has been widely praised by coaches and athletes who have long called for stricter enforcement of age rules.
The tournament continued with the remaining eligible wrestlers, and results were declared after the verification process. The WFI has urged all state associations to conduct thorough age checks before future events to avoid such large-scale disqualifications.
