World Wrestling has banned Mongolian coaches Byambarinchen Bayaraa and Tserenbaatar Tsogtbayar for three years for their bizarre protest during the Olympics.
The pair responded to Mandakhnaran Ganzorig’s controversial defeat to Uzbekistan’s Ikhtiyor Navruzov in his under-65kg bronze medal match by first throwing their shoes at the match judge and then stomping onto the mat and tearing their clothes off.
An investigation was opened into their conduct and they have now been suspended. The Mongolian federation will face no ban from competition but has been fined 50,000 Swiss Francs (€45,800).
A post on World Wrestling’s Twitter account on Wednesday read: “Decision re: MGL at RIO 2016.
“Coaches Bayaraa + Tsogtbayar suspended 3yrs.
“MGL wrestling fed. fined 50k Francs.
“MGL cleared to compete.”
Decision re: MGL at RIO 2016
— World Wrestling (@wrestling) September 21, 2016
-Coaches Bayaar + Tsogbayar suspended 3yrs
- MGL wrestling fed. fined 50k Francs
- MGL cleared to compete
Ganzorig had been leading 7-6 with 18 seconds remaining when he began to dance around Navruzov in celebration. He was penalised for passivity, bringing the scores level.
That prompted the coaches’ protest, which in turn brought a second caution to hand Navruzov an 8-7 win.
