The International Wrestling Federation (UWW) has sorted out the 235 Russians and Belarussians – athletes, coaches and officials – applying to take part under neutral status in the 2023 World Championships, scheduled from September 16 to 24 in Belgrade. The result of the search: 26 candidates for the trip to the Serbian capital were deemed ineligible. The body announced in a press release, published on its website, that it had studied in detail the backgrounds of the candidates from both countries, as well as their activity on social networks. “These checks covered wrestlers of all styles and categories, as well as support staff, explains the body chaired by Serbian Nenad Lalovic. Of the 235 names, 26 people were deemed ineligible due to their active support for the ongoing war or confirmed membership of military or national security agencies.” The investigation was carried out by an independent, private intelligence service provider. Initially scheduled to take place in Russia, the 2023 World Championships have been moved to Belgrade, the host city of last year’s event. The 2023 World Championships will be the first time since 2021 that a Russian delegation will be present at the global event.
