The outbreak of coronavirus has upended the sporting world especially contact sports like wrestling and boxing. And news of the athletes or their kins getting infected by the deadly virus has left the fans dumbstruck. Recently, Olympic and world champ Abdulrashid Sadulaev confirmed he too was diagnosed with COVID-19 and urged people to not take the situation lightly.
Here are other wrestlers or their family members who were tested positive of coronavirus:
-Abdulrashid Sadulaev
The wrestling world was shocked after Sadulaev confirmed the news through his Instagram. “I admit like most countrymen, I too did not attach importance to the coronavirus. We really underestimate the disease. I too did the same mistake and contracted the virus and passed to my friends and family”.
“I understand sitting at home for the third month is no easy task, but … this is our only way out, relief comes after every burden. Therefore, I urge everyone to stay home,” the five-time world champ added. Sadualev has recovered from it and has not set eyes on Tokyo Olympics.
-Ismael Borrero
The Olympic champ began to show symptoms of the virus right after returning from Pan American Olympic Qualifiers held in Ottawa, Canada in March. He was quickly admitted to Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine in Havanna after testing positive for COVID-19. The Cuban wrestler was discharged after recovering from the infection.
Borrero has confirmed the 67kg Greco-Roman division quota for Cuba after winning gold at 2019 world championship in Nur-Sultan.
-Sharif Sharifov : He is the latest victim of the coronavirus. The 2012 Olympic gold medallist confirmed that he and his family members have been tested positive for a deadly virus. He said, “All my family members, including my wife, father and sister were infected with the COVI-19. It’s not an influenza virus, it is a very dangerous disease”.
He continued, “I have a mild form of the disease and I am currently recovering but my mother has been hospitalised”.
-Hassan Yazdani’s father:
While the world champ thankfully has remained safe from the virus attack, his father Hossein was diagnosed with it. And since Hassan lived with his father in Juybar, he too was put under quarantine in his home. Although no official confirmation has been made on Hossein’s recovery, Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia had confirmed that he is doing well. “I talked to Hassan and took an update on his father’s health. He said that Hossein is now recovering well”.
– Russia’s women’s wrestling coach
The head coach of the Russian women’s wrestling team died due to coronavirus. Magomed Alomarov was admitted in serious condition after getting infected and was put under a ventilator. As per Russian wrestling federation, he passed away at age of 68.
Aliomarov at the age of 37 earned the title of Honored Trainer of the RSFSR. The specialist worked in his native Dagestan, then headed the national team of Azerbaijan. He left his post after 2012 Olympics, but was engaged in administrative work – he was vice president of the Wrestling Federation of Azerbaijan. In February 2019, he became the acting head coach of the Russian national team after replacing Yuri Shakhmuradov.