Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan), Sep 17 (UNI) India's biggest medal hope and star wrestler Vinesh Phoghat after registering easy win against Swede Sofia Mattsson in the opening round lost to defending champion Mayu Mukaida 0-7 of Japan in the second round of the 53kg category of the World Wrestling Championships here on Tuesday.
While it was a disappointing on day 4 for other Indian women wrestlers losing their respective bouts.
Mukaida remained patient in the opening two minutes but was able to get a waist hold on Vinesh and took a 7-0 lead. Vinesh was never able to recover as she went for the leg but Mukaida kept evading the Indian’s attempts to reach the next round.
The Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh started out in an emphatic fashion as she routed Olympic bronze medallist Sofia Mattsson 13-0 in the opening round.
Vinesh never allowed Sofia to play her hold-game and took an early 4-0 lead. The Indian wrestler made attacks around the waist and earned four points. Vinesh went into a massive 13-0 lead in the final seconds of the bout when she pushed Sofia out of the mat.
The Swede opted to challenge the referee’s decision but eventually lost it as Vinesh had her foot inside the line.
However, Vinesh still remains in contention for a bronze medal and an Olympic quota through repechage, provided Mukaida wins her semi-final bout against Maria Prevolaraki.
In the women’s 72kg category, Komal Gole lost 1-4 to Turkey’s Beste Altug in the qualification round. While in 50kg category Seema lost 2-9 to Azerbaijan’s Mariya Stanik in the second round.
In 55kg second round, Lalita lost 10-3 to Mongolia’s Bolortuya Bat Ochir.
Earlier in the day, Naveen lost the lost the Greco-Roman 130kg repechage to Estonia’s Heiki Nabi. With Naveen’s exit, India’s run in the Greco-Roman category ended, with none of the 10 wrestlers making the quarter-finals.
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