China’s stapled visa row costs Arunachal weightlifter shot at World Championships

The Indian Weightlifting Federation has withdrawn Arunachal Pradesh weightlifter Charu Pesi from the upcoming Senior World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo, China. The decision came after Chinese authorities indicated that Pesi would be issued a stapled visa rather than a standard stamped visa. The Indian government does not recognize stapled visas issued to residents of Arunachal Pradesh, leading officials to pull the men's 65kg athlete from the tournament beginning October 24.

An eight-member Indian squad led by Mirabai Chanu will still compete as their visas are being processed normally. The withdrawal prevents Pesi from earning crucial ranking points toward qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Similar stapled visa disputes previously affected Indian wushu athletes during international events held in China in 2023.