India women’s wrestling team who are currently stuck in Tirana, Albania, amid the Israel-Iran conflict are not missing out on their preparation for the Asian Championship selection trials.
The team was returning via Dubai after completing their participation at the Muhamet Malo 2026 Wrestling Tournament where they got to know that the flights had been cancelled. The team’s chief Coach Vijender Singh in an interview with The Bridge informed about the team’s continued effort to prepare for the upcoming tournaments in those conditions.
A total of six medals were won by the Indian wrestlers at the Wrestling Tournament including one gold, three silvers and two bronzes. With their flights getting cancelled, the team was provided with accommodations in a hotel. But for the Asian Championship preparation, the team decided to train at a nearby ground area which was close to where they were staying.
Vijender Singh said, “The competition for women concluded the day before yesterday. Our flight was via Dubai. We were already on our way when we were told that our flight was cancelled.”
“We contacted the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and arrangements were made near the airport. We have been here since Sunday, our return tickets have been booked for the day after tomorrow (Wednesday),” he added.
Reportedly, the team was heading back for the Asian Championship selection trials which will be conducted by the Wrestling Federation of India. The trials were initially scheduled for March 9, but through the request from coach Virender who brought up the concern of the team’s delay in arrival, the WFI has postponed it by a few days.
“We have trials for the Asian Championship on 9 March. We are preparing so that we don’t have to lose weight again and again. We have requested the WFI to postpone the trials by a few days since there is a delay in our travel plans,” Vijender also mentioned.
Vijender, however, brings in the special mention of former U17 world champion Neha Sangwan, who played her first international tournament at Muhamet Malo 2026, and had made her comeback after getting banned for being overweight by the WFI. In the Wrestling Tournament, she competed in the 57kg freestyle category but lost by 1 point to two-time U23 world champion Solomiia Vynnyk of Ukraine.
(Inputs sourced from The Bridge)
