The Wrestling Federation of India has suspended five wrestlers for age manipulation in youth events, blocking them from all wrestling activities for four years. The decision follows checks on official records and comes ahead of a key Asian U20 championship in Thailand later this month.
The case centres on Deepanshu, who had won the 65kg freestyle category during Asian U20 Wrestling Championships trials in Lucknow on Wednesday. Deepanshu is now removed from India’s 65kg freestyle squad and replaced by Pawan Balaji Dhayagude for the continental event scheduled in Thailand later in June.
WFI action and age manipulation sanctions
Along with Deepanshu, four wrestlers, Tanuj Antil, Baljot Singh, Nikhil Dalal and Saket Drall, faced similar action. WFI investigations found that all five wrestlers had submitted falsified birth certificates, which breached the federation’s code of conduct for age-group competitions.
“Upon verification with the Registrar, Municipal Corporation, we confirmed that their birth certificates are not genuine. Hence, the wrestlers are hereby suspended from all wrestling-related activities under the aegis of WFI for a period of four years,” the federation said in a statement on Wednesday.
| Wrestler | Issue identified | Sanction by WFI |
|---|---|---|
| Deepanshu | Fake birth certificate, 65kg freestyle trials winner | Four-year suspension from all wrestling activities |
| Tanuj Antil | Fake birth certificate | Four-year suspension from all wrestling activities |
| Baljot Singh | Fake birth certificate | Four-year suspension from all wrestling activities |
| Nikhil Dalal | Fake birth certificate | Four-year suspension from all wrestling activities |
| Saket Drall | Fake birth certificate | Four-year suspension from all wrestling activities |
WFI show-cause notice and referee conduct
Separate from the age cases, WFI issued a show-cause notice to senior referee Jaibir Singh. The notice concerns Jaibir’s role at the Asian Games trials in Lucknow on May 31, specifically during the final of the 130kg Greco-Roman category involving Jaibir’s son, Ronak Dahiya.
The federation alleged that Jaibir removed his referee kit and entered Ronak Dahiya’s corner to offer instructions. WFI said this behaviour raised concerns over impartiality and neutrality expected from technical officials. According to the notice, such actions could undermine fair play at selection trials.
Jaibir told The New Indian Express that refereeing duties had ended for the day before the final began. Jaibir said a lack of a coach in Ronak Dahiya’s corner prompted a brief stop to encourage Ronak and share advice. WFI has asked Jaibir to submit a written response by June 10 while Jaibir continues officiating at the UWW Ranking Series event in Mongolia, keeping the matter under review.
Story first published: Friday, June 5, 2026, 19:39 [IST]
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