HEARTBREAK TIE

Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan), September 19

Bajrang Punia lost his semifinal bout against home wrestler Daulet Niyazbekov in controversial circumstances after sealing his Tokyo Olympics quota along with Ravi Dahiya, who made his presence felt in a star-studded field at the World Wrestling Championships today.

Bajrang’s semifinal bout in the 65kg category ended 9-9, but Niyazbekov was declared the winner because he had been awarded most points (4) for a single move in the bout. At the end of the thrilling six-minute bout, Bajrang’s coach Shako Benitidis was so frustrated that he kicked the coach’s block in anger.

The Indians were unhappy on two counts — one, that Niyazbekov was incorrectly awarded four points when it was Bajrang who effected a throw; and two, the tiring Niyazbekov was not warned for his delaying tactics as he tried to recover his breath.

Four-pointer

Niyazbekov earned four points through a move 15 seconds into the second period. Bajrang had got Niyazbekov in a tight headlock under his jaw, but the Kazakh pushed the Indian to the edge of the mat; it was then that Bajrang threw Niyazbekov, but Bajrang himself didn’t seem in control and landed on his back.

Initially, the judge awarded Bajrang found points, but he was overruled and four points were then awarded to Niyazbekov. “I challenged it and they should have given at least two points to Bajrang for that hold,” said coach Benitidis later.

Because India’s challenge was rejected, Niyazbekov was awarded one extra point, taking his lead to 7-2. The Kazakh then took it to 9-2 before Bajrang fought back fiercely to equalise at 9-9, but it was not enough to secure a win. Bajrang, a silver medallist at the last edition of the tournament, will fight for bronze tomorrow. “It was clear that the mat chairman favoured the home wrestler,” said an Indian coach, unwilling to be named.

Bajrang, who had an easy draw, crushed Poland’s Krzysztof Bienkowski 9-2 in the first round, before beating Slovenia’s David Habat and South Korea’s Jong Choi Son 8-1 to reach the semifinals.

Valiant Dahiya

Dahiya, who felled a few stars on his way to the 57kg semifinals, lost 4-6 to the reigning world champion, Zaur Uguev of Russia, and will fight for bronze.

Dahiya also earned a quota place for the Tokyo Olympics after stunning Arsen Harutunyan, the 61kg European champion from Armenia, and Yuki Takahashi of Japan, the 2017 world champion and world No. 3. — PTI, Agencies

Pooja fails to get bronze

India’s campaign in the women’s competition folded following Pooja Dhanda’s defeat in the bronze medal bout and first-round exits of Sakshi Malik and Divya Kakran. Pooja could not match her last year’s bronze-winning performance as she lost the 59kg bronze medal play-off 3-5 to 2018 Asian champion Xingru Pei of China. Rio Olympics bronze winner Sakshi Malik lost her opening round 7-10 to Nigeria’s Aminat Adeniyi. Sakshi waited too long to attack while her powerful opponent moved quickly. In the 68kg category, Divya Kakran could not do much against reigning Olympics champion Sara Dosho from Japan, losing 0-2. PTI