No jobs, no visas! WFI prez blasts US embassy: 'India lost out on gold medals'

WFI president Sanjay Singh

India’s chances of winning medals at the U23 World Wrestling Championships 2026 in Las Vegas have been affected after nine Indian wrestlers were denied US visas. Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh blamed the US Embassy, saying the wrestlers were rejected because they were under 20 and did not have full-time jobs.

Speaking to IANS on Wednesday, Singh said the decision had cost India potential gold medals, with at least two of the wrestlers considered strong contenders. He also pointed out that the issue had never occurred in the tournament’s history. "The US Embassy rejected the visas of nine Indian wrestlers on the grounds that they are unemployed. For the first time in history this has happened. Even the UWW president wrote to them regarding the matter," Singh said on Wednesday.

"This visa refusal is entirely the US Embassy's fault, and as a result, India lost out on gold medals. Among the nine wrestlers denied visas, at least two were strong gold medal prospects. India suffered a major medal loss due to the US Embassy's fault."

Men's freestyle team cleared, others affected

All 10 members of India’s men’s freestyle team received permission to travel to Las Vegas. However, the visa issue affected the country’s Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling teams, leaving nine wrestlers unable to compete. The championships began with Greco-Roman events from October 12 to 14, followed by women’s wrestling from October 14 to 16. The men’s freestyle competitions are scheduled for October 16 to 18.

Vishvajit More reaches historic final

Despite the setbacks, India has a chance to win gold through Vishvajit More, who reached the 55kg Greco-Roman final. He became the first Indian to reach a Greco-Roman final at the U23 World Championships in Las Vegas.

More defeated Mexico’s Isaac Marin Mata 10-8, then beat U20 world champion Armin Shamsipour 8-1 before overcoming Russia’s Malik Gigiev 7-4 in the semifinals. The two-time U23 world bronze medallist will now face Georgia’s Koba Karumidze, aiming to become India’s first Greco-Roman gold medallist at the U23 Worlds.