USA Wrestling official hopes for Iranian team’s visa approval ahead of World Championships

Tehran - BORNA - Rich Bender addressed the ongoing concerns surrounding the Iranian delegation's participation, following recent discussions between Iranian wrestling officials and United World Wrestling (UWW) President Nenad Lalovic. The talks centered on potential bureaucratic hurdles that could prevent the Iranian squad from entering the U.S. for the global tournament.

"We hope that the Iranian team will be able to receive visas for this event," Bender stated, noting that the inclusion of all qualifying nations is vital to the competition. "In the true Olympic spirit, we hope this situation is resolved favorably."

However, the American official remained tight-lipped when asked whether USA Wrestling is actively coordinating with the U.S. State Department to expedite the visa process for the Iranian athletes and staff.

The 2026 U23 World Wrestling Championships, featuring both Freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines, are scheduled to be held in Las Vegas from October 12 to 18. As one of the world's premier wrestling nations, Iran's presence is considered crucial for the competitive depth of the tournament.

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