UWW sets new time frame for wrestling Olympic qualifiers

Following the coronavirus outbreak, the UWW postponed three of the four Olympic qualifiers scheduled last month.

United World Wrestling announced cancellation of all international tournaments until June 30. (Representative Image)

United World Wrestling (UWW) has decided to hold the remaining Olympic Games qualifying events in the ‘same period’ next year.

Following the coronavirus outbreak, the UWW postponed three of the four Olympic qualifiers scheduled last month. It organised the Pan-American Olympic qualifier in Ottawa last month, but had to postpone the African/Oceania, European and Asian qualifying events.

It also postponed the World Olympic qualifier, scheduled from April 30 to May 3.

The first Olympic qualifier, the World championships, was held in September last year.

“The remaining OG qualifiers shall be organised in 2021 in the same period as in 2020 (supposing minor adjustments to the exact dates). The same organisers as originally planned will stage remaining qualifiers,” said a Wrestling Federation of India release, stating the decisions taken at a UWW executive board meeting held via phone.

The apex body also decided to postpone all UWW championships and cancel all international events planned until June 30. It advised all National federations to cancel their events to ensure the health of all athletes and participants is protected.