Vinesh Phogat Loses in Pre-Quarterfinals of World Wrestling Championship 2019, Repechage Hope Still Alive
Vinesh Phogat on Tuesday was knocked out of the World Wrestling Championships in the pre-quarterfinals. After a good start to her campaign at Nur-Sultan where she beat Olympic bronze medallist Sofia Mattsson 13-0.
Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan), September 17: Vinesh Phogat on Tuesday was knocked out of the World Wrestling Championships in the pre-quarterfinals. After a good start to her campaign at Nur-Sultan where she beat Olympic bronze medallist Sofia Mattsson 13-0, Vinesh was trounced 7-0 by Japanese reigning world champion Maya Mukaida. Vinesh Phogat Starts Her World Wrestling Championship 2019 Campaign With a Crushing Victory, Defeats Sofia Mattsson in Her First Clash.
Vinesh, however, has a chance of getting a repechage and thus a shot at a bronze medal and a spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics if Mukaida makes it to the final. If so, the 25-year-old will be facing American World No.1 Sarah Hilderbrandt in her next bout as Mukaida routed Hilderbrandt 12-1 to reach the semis. Mukaida faces Greek Maria Prevolaraki in the semi-final.
Among the other Indians in action on Tuesday, Naveen lost his 130kg Greco-Roman repechage match against Estonia's Heike Nabi 9-0 and thus fell out of contention for a spot in the Olympics. Seema lost in the 1/8 stage of the women's 50kg category to Azerbaijan's Rio Olympics silver medallist Mariya Stadnik.
Like Vinesh, Seema will be hoping for a repechage with Stadnik reaching the semi-final and within a match of confirming a silver medal. Lalita Shehrawat lost at the 1/8 stage of the 55kg category to Mongolia's Bolortuya Batochir. In 72kg, Komal Bhagwal Gole lost to Turkey's Beste Altug.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 17, 2019 02:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).