Rio 2016: Mongolians strip off clothes in protest after wrestling loss

Furious Mongolian officials have stripped off and hurled their shoes to the floor in protest after their wrestler Mandakhnaran Ganzorig was judged the loser of a bronze medal contest with Ikhtiyor Navruzov of Uzbekistan.

Ganzorig, leading by seven points to six, taunted his opponent by dancing around him in the last 18 seconds and was then carried around the ring in triumph by one of his coaches.

But the judges then adjusted the score to 7-7, penalising the Mongolian for 'fleeing the hold', or refusing to engage with his opponent. They then added a further point to the Uzbek's score after the Mongolian corner challenged the decision and had the challenge rejected.

Ganzorig crouched head down on the mat in disbelief at the reversal as both his coaches advanced towards the judges, stripped off their shirts and shoes and hurled them to the floor.

With the crowd erupting, one of them then took off his track pants and remonstrated with the judges wearing nothing but a pair of underpants.

Navruzov, the victor, celebrated by wrestling his coach to the floor and then kneeling on the mat as if in prayer.

"This was a protest. There was a problem with the refereeing," said Mongolia coach Byambarenchin Bayaraa.

"Ganzorig won 7-6 and he lost because of this decision. This is the only time in history of wrestling with point penalty.

"The referees were not good. They only supported the Uzbek. After the challenge for five seconds we win, and we are very happy for this medal.

"Three million people in Mongolian waited for this bronze medal and now we have no medal.

"One hundred per cent of the stadium supported us."

Reuters

 

 

Author: 
ABC Australia