Wrestler in Coma After Tournament; Family Demands Coach and Referees Face Negligence Charges

A Kazakh wrestler is fighting for his life after sustaining a severe head injury during a competition, following a controversial throw by his opponent.

The athlete, Arsalan, has undergone complex brain surgery, but doctors continue to battle to save him. The incident occurred when his opponent executed a throw, causing Arsalan to strike his head on the mat. On video from the event, a spectator can be heard shouting about an illegal move.

His family is outraged by the response, alleging critical failures in safety protocols and medical care. They insist the referees should have immediately stopped the match to check on the athlete after such a fall, but did not. An ambulance was not called to the venue; instead, Arsalan was transported to a hospital in a private car.

Upon arrival, the facility lacked a neurosurgeon on duty, forcing a wait for a specialist from another clinic. The family states the crucial operation began only several hours after the initial injury. A criminal case has been initiated into the incident.

While authorities investigate, the family places responsibility not on the opponent, but on the tournament organizers, the coach, and the refereeing team, whom they accuse of ignoring safety rules.

The national federation of zhekpe-zhek (Kazakh wrestling) denies any wrongdoing. Officials there state the throw was not illegal and the bout was stopped due to Arsalan's lack of activity. The federation has also suggested the wrestler may have had pre-existing, unknown health issues.