With 20 seconds remaining on the electronic timer, India's medal hopeful Sujeet Kalkal was trailing his Iranian opponent, Paris Olympics silver medallist Rahman Mousa Amouzad, 0-4 in the men’s 65kg quarterfinal bout at the World Wrestling Championships in Croatia’s Zagreb on Monday.
Sujeet rallied, executing a takedown and a stepout to narrow the deficit to 3-4. The Asian U-23 champion required just one point to secure the win by scoring the final move and progressing to the semifinals. It would have marked a remarkable triumph over the 2022 World champion. However, Sujeet committed to a far leg attack, allowing the Iranian to counter with a takedown, taking the score to 6-3.
With four seconds to go, Sujeet executed another takedown against Amouzad, earning two points and reducing the margin to 5-6. Time ran out ending his pursuit in his maiden Worlds. Sujeet will now hope that Amouzad reaches the final, as that would offer him a chance to fight for bronze through the repechage round.
Another Indian in the fray, Vicky, lost his men’s 97kg quarterfinal to Iranian Amirali Azarpira by technical superiority. Paris Olympics bronze medallist Azarpira relied on his precise takedowns to roll past Vicky 10-0. The Indian will now hope for Azarpira to reach the final, which will give him a chance to fight for bronze through repechage.
The third day of the Worlds witnessed the start of the women’s freestyle competitions, with two of India’s female grapplers – Nishu (55kg) and Sarika (59kg) – taking the mat. However, both lost in their initial rounds.
Start a Conversation
Post comment