Sanjay Singh has been elected the new president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) after results were announced on Thursday, December 21. Sanjay Singh defeated Anita Sheoran, a gold medalist from the 2010 Commonwealth Games, in the elections by a margin of 33 votes. Sanjay Singh received 40 votes to his name, while Anita polled only 7 votes. 

3 things you need to know

• Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was the previous president of WFI
• He stepped down following allegations of abuse by wrestlers
• Sanjay Singh has been elected the new chief of the wrestling body

Also Read: BREAKING: Sanjay Singh to be new chief of Wrestling Federation of India

Who is Sanjay Singh?

Sanjay Singh is the vice-president of the UP Wrestling Association and is a close aide of the former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was forced to step down earlier this year following a series of allegations of sexual abuse and harassment by world-class wrestlers.

Sanjay Singh was also part of the previous executive council of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and has been associated with the administration part of the sport for over two decades. The beleaguered Brij Bhushan Singh was confident that Sanjay Singh would be elected the new president when asked about it on the day of polling. 

Just like his predecessor, Sanjay Singh is also linked to the ruling establishment as he is an RSS-affiliate. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is a Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was forced to resign after pressure mounted when international-level wrestlers took to the streets to protest against his reign.  

"It is obvious to feel good because truth has won over lie," said the newly elected WFI President Sanjay Singh after the results were announced.