Mongolia’s Wrestling Coaches Strip Off Clothes To Protest Official’s Call At Rio Games

The protest came after their wrestler was narrowly defeated by a technicality.
From: NewNowNext

 After appearing to have bested Uzbekistan’s Ikhtiyor Navruzov in a bronze freestyle wrestling match Sunday afternoon, Mongolia’s Mandakhnaran Ganzorig was penalized for celebrating before the match had actually finished, which swiftly turned his victory into a defeat.

Following the call, his coaches rushed to the judges’ table, where they ripped off their clothes and screamed in protest.

 In the final seconds of the Sunday match-up, Ganzorig had clearly won against Navruzov in a 7-6 finish. His coaches ran onto the floor and the three hugged and jumped in celebration. Suddenly, however, the scoreboard changed, and Navruzov had a one point advantage over Ganzorig.

According to the judges, the Mongolian wrestler had been docked for fleeing in the waning seconds of the match. While Ganzorig fell to the mat and began to roll around inconsolably, his coaches erupted and approached the scorers’ table.

Coach Byambarenchin Bayoraa arrived at the table first, tore off his shirt and shoes and slammed them in the direction of the judges. Tsenrenbataar Tsostbayar followed suit and one-upped him by also taking off his pants. Together, they pleaded with the officials for a replay of the event.

The judges refused to offer a replay, but Bayoraa and Tsostbayar would not leave the mat. The mostly Brazilian crowd began to cheer “Mongolia! Mongolia!” After a few moments, a group of Brazilian national force officers arrived to escort the coaches and Ganzorig from the stadium.

This wasn’t the first time that a dicey call had seen Navruzov triumph over a competitor.

Earlier in the Games, three officials were suspended after delivering what many considered to be a shady ruling against Puerto Rican Franklin Gomez in favor of Navruzov.

When Navruzov took to the medal stand to claim his bronze, the crowd booed.