Two positive COVID-19 cases in Indian judo team at Asian Championships

The 16-member judo team from India was forced to withdraw from the ongoing Asia-Oceania Championships currently held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan after two athletes tested positive for coronavirus just before the start of the tournament. The judoka tested positive after landing in Kyrgyzstan.

One of the athletes was supposed to fight on the first day and the whole team was taken out including the player that as scheduled to fight on the second day.

"Yes, one player of the team tested positive upon landing in Bishkek just a before the official weighing on April 5, forcing the entire squad to withdraw as per the guidelines of International Judo Federation," a source in the Judo Federation of India (JFI) told news agency PTI.

"The team comprised 12 judokas and four coaches." Prominent judoka in the team included Shushila Devi (women's 48kg), Jasleen Singh Saini (men's 66kg), Tulika Maan (women's +78kg) and Avtar Singh (men's 100kg). All the four are in the race for one continental quota place. The Asia-Oceania Championships in Bishkek started on Tuesday and will end on Saturday.

"The entire team is in isolation for 14 days in Bishkek now. Netflix, Instagram and playing games.

He blamed the JFI mismanagement for the fiasco, stating that the federation jeopardised country's chances by allowing the entire contingent to travel together.

"The entire squad including four coaches travelled together for Bishkek, which could have been avoided. Since the entire team travelled together and two players came out positive on arrival, it put paid to the hopes of other players. This could have been avoided."

Watch the Indian team of 12 judoka