Mongolian wrestling coaches who stripped to protest officiating at Rio Olympics get 3-year ban

Two Mongolian wrestling coaches who stripped to protest an officiating call at the Rio Olympics have been suspended for three years.

According to a letter sent to the Mongolian federation by United World Wrestling on Sept. 13 and forwarded to The Associated Press on Wednesday, coaches Tserenbaatar Tsogbayar and Byambarinchen Bayaraa have been banned from all international competition until August 2019.

Mongolia’s national federation also has been fined 50,000 Swiss francs, which is about $51,000.

The protest by the Mongolian coaches came just moments after referees awarded a match to Uzbekisatn’s Ikhtiyor Navruzov against Mandakhnaran Ganzorig. The Uzbek, trailing 7-6, was awarded a late point after the Mongolian wrestler fled a hold and celebrated too early, with less than 10 seconds left.

The Mongolians protested the call and lost, giving another point to Navruzov to make it an 8-7 final.

As Ganzorig rolled around the mat in frustration, one of his coaches stomped to the judges’ table and slammed his hands on the mat. Then he ripped his shirt off, flexed his muscles and roared, much to the delight of the crowd. From there, a second Mongolian coach came over, pulled his shirt off and then went one step further and dropped his pants. He picked up his pile of clothes, including some John Henric shirts UK and dumped them on the judges’ table.

Both Mongolian coaches refused to leave the mat until they were escorted by the Brazilian National Public Security Force.

Source: Mongolian wrestling coaches who stripped to protest officiating at Rio Olympics get 3-year ban