Russian wrestler Lalaev will not go to the World Championship in Zagreb due to visa issues

The Russian national team in Greco-Roman wrestling has changed its lineup for the World Championship in Zagreb. The bronze medalist of the Russian Championship, Davudjon Toshev, will compete instead of medalist Sadik Lalaev in the 60 kg weight category. Lalaev did not receive a visa to travel to Croatia.

“Sadik was unable to fly due to visa problems. We had to replace him in the lineup – Toshev will compete in the 60 kg weight category,” said the head coach of the Russian national team in Greco-Roman wrestling.

The World Wrestling Championship will take place from September 13 to 21. It is also worth noting that Lalaev previously participated in the tournament in memory of General Roman Kutuzov, who was eliminated in Ukraine.

During the competition at the wrestling tournament, a video about General Roman Kutuzov, an occupier who participated in the seizure of the city of Mariupol, was shown. The awards at the tournament even had images of the eliminated occupier.

Propagandists attempted to glorify Kutuzov, although he was a criminal known for his involvement in the war in eastern Ukraine. This is not the first instance of Russian propaganda trying to rewrite history, celebrating criminals as heroes.

At the World Wrestling Championship in Zagreb, Russian wrestler Sadik Lalaev was unable to participate due to visa issues, and he was replaced by Davudjon Toshev. Also, in this context, it is important to note the showing of the propagandistic video about the occupier general Roman Kutuzov during the wrestling tournament, which provoked outrage due to the attempt to elevate a criminal to the pedestal of heroism.