Grapplers shine in Asian meet

Karam Prakash

Chandigarh, February 20

Indian grapplers have won eight medals so far in the Asian Wrestling Championships being held in Bangkok. The second-string Indian team has won one gold medal, two silver and five bronze medals in all.

Sandeep Tomar defeated Hak Jin Jong (3-1) of North Korea in the men's 57kg freestyle to win the gold medal. Bajrang Punia (65kg), a strong contender, lost in the first round to Kum Su Jon of North Korea (3-1).  Jitender (74kg) lost the bronze medal bout to Sufiev Azamat (Tajikistan) 4-1.

The Indian women have won three medals. Vinesh Phogat (53kg) won the bronze by defeating Yong MI Pak of North Korea by fall in the repechage round. Priyanka Phogat (55kg) won the silver medal by prevailing over Kyrgyzstan wrestler Bermet by fall in the semifinals. The Haryana wrestler, however, lost to Otgonntsets of Mongolia in the final. In the 63kg category, Anita won the bronze medal by defeating Nilufar Gada of Uzbekistan (by fall) in the repechage round.

India’s greco-roman wrestlers ended up with four medals. In the 59kg category, Gaurav Sharma won the bronze by beating Eun Bin Kin of North Korea 2-1. Harpreet Singh (80kg) defeated Jonibek (3-1) of Uzbekistan in the repechage round to clinch the bronze medal. Hardeep (98 kg) settled for a silver medal after getting the better of Uzur (Kazakhstan) 3-1. He, however, lost to Mahdi Abbas of Iran in the final bout. Naveen (130kg) won the bronze medal by flooring Sun He of China (3-1) in the repechage bout. “All the wrestlers are working hard to have a shot at the Olympics qualification competition," said Anita.