A Chinese wrestler was allowed to advance to the next round of a national tournament, despite being slapped with an official conduct warning for biting his opponent while the pair were locked in a clinch.

Alibieke, a freestyle wrestler from the far western Xinjiang region, drew blood from his opponent Yeerlanbieke Katai during the second round of their bout in eastern China, local media reported yesterday.

"Katai let out a bloodcurdling cry and protested to the referee that he had been bitten," Xinhua news agency said.

The match was nonetheless allowed to continue with Alibieke winning 2-0.

Katai, who sported a "huge" bite mark near his elbow, said he was in a prime attacking position when the bite occurred. Although organisers gave Alibieke a formal warning and "criticism", the bite was deemed unintentional and the result allowed to stand.

"Wrestling is an intense sport. Athletes, it can be said, are exerting their all and sometimes are not able to control themselves very well," said Dong Shenghui, wrestling director within China's General Administration of Sports.