The outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected sporting events globally, Wrestling now also has become one of the victims of the global epidemic. Countries are cancelling or postponing their international and national tournaments in the wake of the deadly disease. From Russia, Japan to Iran and Kyrgyzstan, countries are taking no chances with regards to COVID-19.
Russia cancels two events:
The wrestling capital of the world Russia has decided to cancel the Baikal Open Grand Prix after cases of Coronavirus started being reported within its boundary. The news was reported by Russia’s Wrestling Federation, however, an announcement for new dates is yet to be made. The tournament was scheduled to take place from March 4 to 7.
Also Read: Kyrgyzstan will host the Junior Asian Wrestling Championships 2020 for the first time.
Earlier, Russia had cancelled the Roman Dmitriev Memorial international event due to Coronavirus.
Kyrgyzstan denies to host Asian Olympic Qualifiers:
Kyrgyzstan was given the right to host the Asian Olympic Qualifiers after United World Wrestling (UWW) decided to relocate it from Xi’an, China. However, with the increase in the number of Coronavirus cases outside China, the Kyrgyzstan government denied hosting the Asian qualification tournament.
UWW has deferred the qualifiers and is yet to announced the fresh dates and venue of the tournament. Originally, it was to be held from March 27 to 29.
Japan cancels two domestic competitions:
Japan will be hosting the 2020 Olympics and have been on toes to tackle the Coronavirus from spreading in the country. But with increasing cases of the epidemic, the Japanese government had decided to call off the Kazama Cup National High School and U13 Japan Open Tournament.
Iran cancels national training:
Iran last week cancelled the national training camp for freestyle and Greco-Roman indefinitely in the wake of the Coronavirus widespread in the country. Iran is one of the most affected countries outside of China.
Clouds of uncertainty over European and Pan-American Qualifiers:
With the cancellation of the Asian Qualifiers due to Coronavirus, questions have cropped up over the fate of European and Pan-American Qualifiers. Both the tournaments are scheduled to be held in March. While European in Hungary from March 19-22, the Pan-Am will be conducted in Canada from March 13-15.
Canada has confirmed 27 cases while several European countries have registered positive cases of COVID-19.
It was reported that the UWW will meet International Olympic Committee officials on Monday on the way-forward on the issue. The global body of wrestling is yet to make a official announcement on the reported meeting. This clearly hints that the UWW or IOC has little up their sleeve on the way forward to tackle the disruption caused by Covid19.