Slovakia Denies Visa to Olympic Champion Sadulaev – European Wrestling Championships Proceed Without Him

Slovakia has denied a Schengen visa to Russian wrestler Abdulrashid Sadulaev, a two-time Olympic champion, just days before the 2025 European Wrestling Championships in Bratislava.

Who Is Abdulrashid Sadulaev?

Widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of his generation, Sadulaev holds:

2 Olympic gold medals

4 European titles

6 World Championship wins

He was expected to be one of the top athletes competing at the tournament.

About the Championship

The European Wrestling Championships returned to Slovakia for the first time in 27 years and are being held from April 7 to 13, 2025, with nearly 1,000 wrestlers from across the continent participating.

Sadulaev’s absence has drawn attention from fans and professionals alike, as he was considered a favorite in his weight category.

What Happened with the Visa?

According to the Russian Wrestling Federation, the visa process had been ongoing with assistance from Slovak authorities. However, the final decision was a refusal without detailed explanation.

"This is a loss for international wrestling. Sadulaev is a major figure in our sport," said federation president Mikhail Mamiashvili.