Neha Sangwan denied US visa, nine wrestlers barred from U23 Wrestling Championships. The 17‑year‑old U17 world champion was among those turned away, her passport returned at the US Embassy in New Delhi.
The officials cited age and employment status as the reasons—‘under 20 and unemployed’—a criterion that blames athletes for not having a regular job. The young wrestlers, still chasing their sporting careers, are not formally employed, making the denial feel arbitrary.
WFI slammed the decision, sending a formal letter to the embassy demanding a reconsideration. —the federation’s demand echoes similar grievances from 2022, when a handful of wrestlers faced the same hurdle.
The list names Samarth Gajanan Mhakave, Dheeraj Kumar Malik, Sachin Kumar, Nikhil, Hardeep, Parveen, Ahilya Shatrughn Shinde, Neha Sharma and Neha Sangwan. All are slated to compete in Las Vegas from Oct. 12‑18.
If these visas don’t materialise, India risks missing a podium spot in Las Vegas, where the U23 championships could be a launchpad for the next Olympics. The absence of these young talents could dent the country’s medal hopes.
The team is watching the next visa appointments on Thursday, hoping the embassy resolves the issue before the championship kicks off on Oct. 12.