Weight Woes: Neha Sangwan Faces Two-Year Ban Post World Championship Disqualification

Indian wrestler Neha Sangwan has been hit with a two-year suspension by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) after being disqualified for weight issues at the U20 World Championships. Sangwan, a promising athlete from Charkhi Dadri in Haryana, weighed 600 grams over the permissible limit, resulting in India's unrepresented 59kg category.

The WFI has chosen Sarika Malik, who finished second in the World Championship trials, to replace Sangwan. The senior World Championships are set for Zagreb, Croatia, from September 13-21. Neha, although a strong medal contender, now faces a hiatus due to her ongoing struggles with weight management.

Neha Sangwan's achievements include three senior-level medals in various categories, yet her persistent weight issues overshadow her promising career. A WFI official emphasized the importance of weight management, noting that government funds are spent on athletes, and accountability is crucial for national representation.

(With inputs from agencies.)