New Delhi:
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President G S Mander on Tuesday threw his weight behind the officials after they stripped Australian grappler Hassene Fkiri of his silver medal for indecent behaviour.
During the summit clash in the 96 kg Greco-Roman between India's Anil Kumar and Australia's Hassene Fkiri, the latter was cautioned thrice by the umpire for dangerous play.
The Australian repeated the mistake again, forcing the umpire to disqualify him and asked to leave the mat. But while leaving Fkiri showed middle finger to his opponent and the judges which eventually cost him his silver medal.
Mander said he supported the decision as it was the right one.
"The wrestler was cautioned thrice but after that too, he misbehaved with the referee and all. When medals were announced he didn't come. In Beijing too same thing was done for misbehaving. It was a right thing to do. It didn't effect our players much. We were winning. But we support the decision of the referees," he said.
Indian wrestlers today made a clean sweep in the men's Greco-Roman style with Ravinder Singh, Sanjay and Anil Kumar clinching gold and Mander said they have surely certainly India proud by their feat.
"Indian wrestlers today have done the country proud. On the very first day only there were three gold medals and we won all of them," he said.
"Ravinder is a very distinguished wrestler. He was Outstanding in world championships and Asian championships," he added.
During the summit clash in the 96 kg Greco-Roman between India's Anil Kumar and Australia's Hassene Fkiri, the latter was cautioned thrice by the umpire for dangerous play.
The Australian repeated the mistake again, forcing the umpire to disqualify him and asked to leave the mat. But while leaving Fkiri showed middle finger to his opponent and the judges which eventually cost him his silver medal.
Mander said he supported the decision as it was the right one.
"The wrestler was cautioned thrice but after that too, he misbehaved with the referee and all. When medals were announced he didn't come. In Beijing too same thing was done for misbehaving. It was a right thing to do. It didn't effect our players much. We were winning. But we support the decision of the referees," he said.
Indian wrestlers today made a clean sweep in the men's Greco-Roman style with Ravinder Singh, Sanjay and Anil Kumar clinching gold and Mander said they have surely certainly India proud by their feat.
"Indian wrestlers today have done the country proud. On the very first day only there were three gold medals and we won all of them," he said.
"Ravinder is a very distinguished wrestler. He was Outstanding in world championships and Asian championships," he added.
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