China blocks three Indian athletes

China has blocked three Indian athletes from competing in the 19th Asian Games.

Ahead of the Asian Games opening ceremony on Friday, three Indian martial arts competitors from a territory claimed by China were forced to withdraw from the Asian Games in Hangzhou after not gaining approval from the host nation.

The three women who were set to compete in wushu, a multidisciplinary martial art originating from China, belonged to Arunachal Pradesh, India, a region claimed almost in full by Beijing as “South Tibet."

According to media reports, the trio, who were approved to participate in the Hangzhou Asian Games, were unable to download their accreditation cards, which serve as visas to China, on Wednesday as they left for the games with the rest of the squad and coaching staff.