A Russian wrestler was forced to endure public humiliation and embarrassment in the immediate aftermath of her bronze medal match loss in Rio de Janeiro.
Inna Trazhukova, who wrestled for Russia in the 63kg division, was assaulted by the President of the Russian Wrestling Federation, Mikhail Mamiashvili following her loss on Thursday. According to the 25-year-old, Mamiashvili was intoxicated when he arrived backstage. He began lobbing obscenities at her and then proceeded to hit her in front of witnesses.
"There was a fight for the bronze medal, which I lost,” Trazhukova told Russia’s Sport-Express. “After the competition I was met by the president of the Federation Michael Mamiashvili drunk. He spoke roughly, rude and hit me twice in the face. All this happened in front of witnesses”
Mamiashvili has since denied Trazhukova’s accusation but added that she did not act honorably in her final match and simply gave away the bronze medal. He admits to being harsh with her during a post-match conversation, though insisted that he did not hit the wrestler.
Trazhukova plans on file a complaint with the Russian Minister of Sport Vitlay Mutko.
“He embarrassed me in public. I want to stop this so female athletes in the future don’t suffer because of him.”