Abdulrashid Sadulayev, an Olympic and world champion wrestler from Russia, was suspended four months after wearing a T-shirt depicting Imam Shamil, a 19th-century leader from Sadulayev’s native Dagestan, immediately after winning his most recent world title on Sept. 22.
The suspension was backdated to that date, meaning it ends in late January. Sadulayev will not miss major competition and is still eligible for the Tokyo Games.
United World Wrestling rules prohibit political and religious messages and signs during competition.
Sadulayev, 23, went undefeated at the senior international level for nearly four years from 2013 to 2017, when he was beaten by American Kyle Snyder in a world championships final dubbed the “Match of the Century.” Sadulayev came back to win the last two world titles.
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