Charu Pesi is out of the Senior World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo as the Indian federation pulls him due to a stapled visa dispute.
The Chinese Visa Application Service Centre demanded an undertaking from the Indian federation confirming Pesi’s acceptance of a stapled visa — a separate paper affixed to a passport that Beijing uses for residents of Arunachal Pradesh.
The federation, after consulting government officials who insist India does not recognise such visas, decided against sending the 65‑kg lifter to the championships that begin on Oct. 24. While the rest of the eight‑member squad, led by Mirabai Chanu, continues with normal visa processing, Pesi’s withdrawal is a stark reminder of the diplomatic friction that follows the region’s disputed status.
This isn’t the first time Indian athletes have been caught in the visa thicket. In July 2023, three wushu competitors from Arunachal were denied entry to Chengdu after receiving stapled visas, prompting India to pull its entire contingent. The same issue surfaced at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where the athletes faced entry and accreditation hurdles.
For Pesi, the loss means missing a critical platform to earn ranking points that could secure a berth at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The federation will now have to scramble to find an alternative route for him to qualify, while the rest of the team eyes a solid performance in Ningbo.