The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has taken strict disciplinary action by suspending 11 wrestlers for submitting fake birth certificates. This incident has exposed a worrying trend of document forgery in Indian wrestling, with cases ranging from digitally altered certificates to those issued many years after birth. The WFI says such actions undermine the integrity of the sport and that the federation is committed to maintaining a clean and transparent system.
WFI’s Crackdown on Forgery
According to the Wrestling Federation of India, the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) recently verified the birth certificates of 95 wrestlers. Out of these, 11 certificates were confirmed as fake, Photoshopped, or otherwise digitally tampered with. The MCD’s investigation revealed that some certificates were issued 12 to 15 years after the wrestlers’ births, raising serious questions about authenticity.
The wrestlers found guilty of submitting forged documents are: Suksham, Manoj, Kavita, Anshu, Arsh Rana, Shubham, Gautam, Jagroop Dhankar, Nikul, Dushyant, and Siddharth Baliyan.
Geographic Breakdown of Forged Certificates
The MCD’s findings showed that:
- 6 certificates came from Delhi’s Narela zone
- 2 certificates from Najafgarh
- 1 each from Rohini, Civil Lines, and City zones
This pattern suggests that the issue of fake birth certificates is not isolated to one area but has spread across multiple regions.
Timeline of Suspensions
The WFI confirmed that suspension notices were sent to 6 wrestlers on August 7, following the MCD’s verification process. The remaining 5 wrestlers had already been suspended earlier for similar violations.
This means that all 11 guilty wrestlers are currently barred from participating in WFI-sanctioned events, marking one of the largest disciplinary actions in the federation’s recent history.
WFI’s Commitment to a Transparent System
A spokesperson from the Wrestling Federation of India emphasized that the federation is working towards a “clean and transparent system” where athletes compete on merit rather than manipulated age categories. Age fraud has long been a concern in competitive sports, as younger athletes competing in lower age brackets often gain an unfair advantage.
This latest crackdown sends a strong message: cheating through fake birth certificates will not be tolerated.
How the MCD Verified the Certificates
The MCD confirmed that out of the 95 certificates checked, 95 were initially issued under the orders of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). However, deeper inspection revealed that 11 of them were either forged using photo-editing software or had been issued decades after birth without proper legal documentation.
In sports, accurate age verification is critical. Age-group competitions depend on fair classification, and falsified documents threaten not only the spirit of competition but also the careers of genuine athletes.
The Broader Impact on Indian Wrestling
Age fraud in wrestling is not new, but the scale of this incident is alarming. It damages the credibility of the sport, discourages honest athletes, and can even impact India’s reputation in international competitions.
For instance, the Wrestling Federation of India has been under increased scrutiny in recent years due to governance issues, athlete welfare concerns, and now document forgery scandals. By taking swift action, the WFI hopes to restore faith among fans, sponsors, and governing bodies.
Potential Reforms to Prevent Future Cases
Following this case, experts believe several reforms could help prevent future incidents:
- Centralized Digital Verification – All birth certificates for athletes should be linked to government databases for real-time authentication.
- Mandatory Early Registration – Athletes should be registered with the federation at an early age to prevent sudden, suspicious entries into age-restricted categories.
- Harsher Penalties – Longer suspensions or lifetime bans could deter forgery attempts.
- Cross-Agency Cooperation – Close collaboration between sports bodies, municipal corporations, and law enforcement to identify fraudulent cases quickly.
A Warning for Aspiring Athletes
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for up-and-coming wrestlers. While the pressure to succeed in competitive sports is high, resorting to fraudulent means can end a career before it truly begins. The Wrestling Federation of India’s latest action proves that even well-known names are not immune from punishment.
The suspension of 11 wrestlers by the Wrestling Federation of India over fake birth certificates is a stark reminder of the importance of honesty in sports. Age manipulation not only cheats the system but also robs deserving athletes of fair competition. With the WFI’s renewed focus on transparency and stricter verification processes, Indian wrestling has a chance to rebuild its reputation and ensure a level playing field for all competitors.
This decisive move may mark the beginning of a more accountable era for wrestling in India—one where skill, dedication, and integrity truly determine success.
