World Wrestling Championships: After the high of the Commonwealth Games, Vinesh Phogat lost in the opening round of the women’s 53kg category in Belgrade. However, the star wrestler will have an opportunity to win bronze as she has earned an opportunity to compete in repechage.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Vinesh Phogat was knocked out in the 1st round at the World Championships
- She lost 0-7 to Mongolia’s Khulan Batkhuyag
- It was a disappointing show from Vinesh, who was a medal contender
The 3-time Commonwealth Games champion was knocked down by Mongolia’s Khulan Batkhuyag 0-7 in a shock first-round result. Vinesh, who was seeded 10th in the 53kg freestyle category, slipped to 0-3 scoreline at the end of the first period.
Vinesh looked jaded as she was battling to make a comeback and eventually lost balance in the final seconds of the bout to be pinned by Batkhuyag.
VINESH IN REPECHAGE
Vinesh, however, has an opportunity to still finish with a bronze medal as her opponent Batkhuyag progressed to the final after beating Jonna Malmgren in the semi-final of the 53kg category. Vinesh will compete in the repechage
It was a disappointing result for Vinesh as junior Indian wrestler Antim had beaten the Mongolian in an U23 Asian meet last month. Antim was ousted in the selection trials by Vinesh.
Vinesh was a medal favouruite in Belgrade and with a favourable draw after injury to reigning champion Akari Fujinami of Japan, the Indian star was expected to finish on the podium. According to the reports published in indiatoday.in
The results did not go India’s way on Tuesday as Neelam Sirohi lost to two-time world silver medallist Emilia Alina Vuc of Romania 0-10 via technical superiority in the women’s 50kg.
French wrestler Koumba Larroque, who was fighting with a highly strapped knee, pinned Shafali with a technical superiority in the women’s 65kg.
