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2022-01-07 17:03

Olympic medallists Bajrang and Ravi choose to train with Indian coaches till Paris Olympics

New Delhi, Jan 7 (Wrestling News) Not willing to spend a considerable time abroad under a foreign coach, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia has decided to train with an Indian coach in the country to prepare for the 2024 Paris Games.

Not only Bajrang but Ravi Dahiya, the Tokyo Games silver medallist, has also conveyed to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) that he will prefer to train under Indian coaches instead of hiring a personal coach from abroad.

Bajrang had trained with Georgian Shako Bentinidis while Ravi had Russian Kamal Malikov to help him along with a set of Indian coaches at Chhatrasal stadium.

Bajrang has been trying to hire a foreign coach since his association ended with Bentinidis but his search did not bear any fruit.

Even during his ongoing training camp in Russia, he looked for a coach but noone is willing to come to India, according to the 27-year-old.

"These coaches want me to spend at least 80 percent of the season in their country, a condition which is not acceptable to me. I am willing to spend half the time outside but no one is willing to come to India, so I have decided to train with an Indian coach," Bajrang told PTI from Moscow.

Bajrang did not elaborate why the foreign coaches are unwilling to come to India. "I don't understand what their issue is in comig to India?" Asked who he wants to train with, the two-time World medallist said he is yet to finalise a name.

The 27-year-old Bajrang is employed with the Indian Railways and it is expected that he will hire someone from Railways.

Ravi Dahiya recently began his training at his training centre, where his long time friend and sparring partner Arun Kumar is helping him out. Mahabali Satpal, who has played a key role in shaping his career, is keeping an eye on his training schedule in the morning sessions at Chhatrasal stadium.

"All Ravi wants is one more training partner. We will identify one for him in his category during the Ranking Series event in Gonda," said WFI Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar said.

Deepak Punia had a Russian coach Murad Gaidarov to help him till the Tokyo Olympics but he was sacked after his ugly scuffle with one of the Games official after the Indian wrestler lost his bronze play-off.

It is expected that Deepak will also prefer to continue his long-time trainer Virender Kumar, who has built a new training centre at Marmurpur on the outskirts of Delhi.

With the country reeling under the third wave of dreaded COVID-19, WFI is also finding it difficult to hire foreign coaches for the national camps.

Iran's Hossein Karim (men's freestyle) and American Andrew Cook (women coach) were both sacked by WFI before the Games for various reasons.

"No one is willing to come to travel to India because of COVID-19 to take up jobs so we will in probability start the national camps in February with the Indian coaches," said Tomar.

Also Read : Bajrang begins 26-day training camp in Moscow ahead of busy season

News Source : PTI

2021-11-22 17:40

Wrestling singlet under a burqa: The story of Tahera's struggles

New Delhi, Nov 22 (Wrestling news) Odisha grappler Tahera Khatun was told to embrace the burqa and shun the wrestling singlet but she made the tough choice of upholding her "dharma" as well as pursue her passion simultaneously.

Coming from a Muslim family in a state where wrestling is not popular, Tahera knew that the path was going be full of obstacles, but her perseverance and determination has kept her going.

Undefeated in her state thus far, the 28-year-old Tahera has struggled to make a mark at the national level.

She neither has strong sparring partners at her club in Cuttack to become a better wrestler nor she has a rich dietary support to become strong.

But she does not regret the lack of success at the big stage since stepping on to the mat is a source of happiness for her.

"I am wedded to wrestling," Tahera told PTI with a spark in her eyes.

"If I get married, I will be told to leave wrestling since it is difficult for Muslim girls to continue in such a contact sport after marriage, and I am not willing to do it.

"Three of my batch-mates got married and now they can't play because of family pressure, I don't want something like that happening to me.

"I already faced difficulties since taking up this sport. The relatives and neighbours were never appreciative of me playing this game. They just wanted me to stay inside the house but my mother, Sohra Bibi, supported me," explained Tahera, who lost her father, S K Ahmed, when she was only 10.

Whatever little support Tahera gets, it is from her brothers (one is auto driver and other a painter) and coach Rajkishore Sahu.

"Wrestling gives me happiness. So what if I don't do well at the Nationals, at least I am getting to compete. Merely getting on to the mat fills me with happiness," she said.

Tahera recently competed at the National championship in Gonda in Uttar Pradesh but made a first round exit in the 65kg category.

She used to play table tennis to overcome depression caused by her father's death before wrestling coach Rihana convinced her to make a switch. Rihana trained her for a month and took her to 'Khurda Pehla' for a district championship, where she emerged champion and the love of sport struck her.

"People tell me 'wrestling has not given you anything'. There are no facilities, no job. But my mother told me that I must pursue it if I like it," said Tahera.

While Tahera wants to pursue her passion she did not wish to disappoint her community and found a way to keep the people happy.

"When I enter Cuttack, I wear 'burqa'. I need to save both, my sporting career as well as my religion. When I come out to play I wear whatever is required but I don't disrespect my elders.

"'Dharam bhi chahiye, karam bhi'. In 2018, I lost my mother. Till she was alive, I had to think about her. I did not want her to listen to taunts but now I don't care, I live my life my way now.

"I will definitely wear burqa once I am done with my career. Now things are changing. Lot of people wished me all the best before I left for Nationals." However, the other struggle continues for her. The little support she gets from her coach and brothers is not enough. She knows her career is as good as over, but she wants to initiate her nieces into the sport and for that to happen, she needs financial stability.

"I wish I had got a job. At least a home guard job. I manage my expenses by giving Yoga home tuition and help people who require physiotherapy. I learnt it by myself by attending training camps and talking to wrestlers.

"For how long my brothers would support me, I need a job. All I earn is 4-5 thousand a month." Tahera cannot afford to take protein or dry fruits. All she can afford is rice and vegetable as of now. Because of the lack of rich diet, she now has low level of calcium and hemoglobin.

Her body is giving the signal that she can't continue in the sport but she is all about grit. She competed at the Nationals with high blood pressure and against the advise of the doctor.

Her coach Rajkishore Sahu also shared the plight of her ward.

"No one has offered Tahera even a glass of water, leave aside providing support and facilities. The wrestlers in the state of Odisha are a deprived lot," said Sahu, who retired from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) six years ago.

Also Read : Pritam emerges surprise champion in tough 74kg competition

News Source : PTI

2021-11-13 17:52

Pritam emerges surprise champion in tough 74kg competition

Gonda (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 13 (Wrestling news) Railways' Pritam emerged a surprise champion in the highly-competitive 74kg category ahead of talented junior Yash while Narsingh Pancham Yadav also put up a spirited show to win bronze at the National Wrestling Championship here on Saturday.

While Narsingh has made a comeback to competitive wrestling recently after completing a four-year dope ban, Amit Dhankar and Yash were the most talked-about in this weight division.

But it was the 25-year-old Pritam who wreaked havoc on the draw by winning two of his bouts by fall and two by technical superiority.

Even in the final, he did not concede a single point, winning 11-0 against Yash, who recently won a bronze at the junior world championship and is making a transition to the senior circuit.

Pritam dominated his bouts with his aggression and tremendous control. He knew exactly what was required to win.

"It's good that I stayed an underdog, otherwise, I would have also fallen on that side," Pritam laughed after grabbing his first gold medal at the senior nationals in his fourth attempt.

"I had prepared hard this year and I was confident that I will emerge champion. Amit Dhankar is a very strong and a veteran wrestler but I have clashed with him in the past and beaten him, so I knew what I needed to do," Pritam, who trains with Ranbhir Dhaka in Rohtak, said.

It was Yash who ended Narsingh's title hopes with a 11-7 win in a fast-paced semifinal.

Narsingh lost the last-four bout after winning a match that was worth a title clash as he edged out an equally strong and experienced Dhankar 7-6.

The match was full of drama and excitement as Narsingh's defence and dodge moves were a treat to watch.

It was Amit who got on board with a take-down move. Narsingh drew parity with a two-point throw near the circle. Narsingh twice effected doge moves as he went for leg attack but got up and quickly moved behind Amit for another take-down to lead 6-2. Dhankar got a push-out point and a left-leg attack got him two more. With just 30 seconds to go, Narsingh had a slender 6-5 lead. The two wrestlers went all out amid loud cheers from the crowd.

Dhankar seemed to have effected a roll for two points and also a push-out point but the referee did not give any.

Dhankar's corner protested and succeeded in getting a push-out point, making it 6-6. Narsingh was ahead on criteria and just needed to defend for 11 more seconds. Dhankar desperately looked for a take-down but the Maharashtra wrestler managed to defend.

In the absence of elite wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya, not much competition or talent could be seen in 65kg and 57kg categories.

Expectedly Rohit took home the 65kg title after reversing a 0-4 deficit to pin Sharwan.

The 57kg gold was taken by Aman who outplayed Abhishek with a technical superiority win.

The tightly-contested 79kg final was won by junior world championship bronze winner Gourav Balian, who beat Jitender Kinha 5-3.

Vicky emerged champion in the 92kg with a win over Monu Dahiya while Shivraj won the gold in the 125kg category with a 3-1 win over Mohit.

Services grabbed the freestyle team title while Railways were runners-up and Haryana finished third.

Also Read : Sarita stamps authority in tough 59kg event, youngsters make mark at Senior Nationals

News Source : PTI

2021-11-12 18:53

Sarita stamps authority in tough 59kg event, youngsters make mark at Senior Nationals

Gonda (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 12 (Wrestling News) A tactically superior Sarita Mor bagged the 59kg title with a commanding victory over comeback-girl Geeta Phogat on a day when established names such as Divya Kakran and Sakshi Malik bit the dust at the National Wrestling Championship here on Friday. The 59kg category was one of the toughest in the women's competition with three World Championships medallists in the fray for the title.

Sarita entered the event fresh from her World bronze medal-winning performance while struggling but strong Pooja Dhanda (2018 World bronze winner) needed to get back his old touch.

Making it a tougher bracket was 2012 World bronze winner Geeta, who returned to competitive wrestling after three years following maternity break.

Sarita dominated all her matches en route the title clash as only Pooja Dhanda tested her. She won two matches by fall and one by technical superiority.

As it was anticipated, 26-year-old Sarita and 32-year Geeta entered the final in which the Railways wrestler emerged champion with a 8-0 scoreline.

Sarita was sharp, had more power in her moves in the final against Geeta, who conceded that she let her rival call the shots.

Sarita was aggressive from the beginning while Geeta remained defensive which hurt her chances. Sarita kept tightening her grip in the match, building her lead with move after move.

Incidentally, the last time Geeta competed at the nationals was in 2017 when she had beaten Sarita in the gold medal match.

"I was high on motivation after World Championship. I have worked on my attack a lot in the recent and I am glad I could execute what I had practiced," Sarita said after winning her seventh gold at the nationals.

"I also wanted to congratulate Geeta, who really had a great comeback. It is not easy but she was good. I had analysed her game along with my husband Rahul (Maan) and coach Kuldip Malik, and played accordingly. I love playing ground wrestling and that is what I did today." Geeta said the 8-0 scoreline in the final is hurting her even as overall she is happy with silver.

"Win or defeat does not matter but the manner of defeat is what is hurting. I just could not play my game in final, I let Sarita dictate terms," she said.

"On my comeback I did not find any issue with my endurance level or speed but I need tactical work in game." Geeta's younger sister Sangeeta won the title in the 62kg division, in which Sakshi Malik was knocked out by Manisha with a 6-1 score.

The 2016 Olympic bronze winner has been struggling for some time and is getting beaten in domestic competitions. Sangeeta was tested by Punjab's Loveleen Kaur in her opening bout, prevailing 8-8 on criteria but got better with each match. She is also making a comeback after a long time following a knee injury.

Several times Sangeeta made leg attacks, holding the ankles of her opponents but could not complete the moves. She was certainly not as sharp as she would have liked.

Another big name to bite the dust was U23 World Championship bronze medallist Divya Kakran. She was pinned by eventual gold winner Pinki.

Kulvinder took silver while the second bronze was taken by Anuradha.

Country's next crop also impressed as junior world championship bronze medallist Simran and U23 world silver winner Shivani Pawar knocked a few big names on their way to 50kg title clash.

Shivani beat Tokyo Olympics participant Seema Bisla 7-2 in semifinals before taking the gold by pinning Simran.

With her sound technique and stamina, Shivani showed a lot of promise for future while Simran too has been making a steady progress.

Also Read : WFI has its way, sports NGO JSW agrees on tripartite contracts with wrestlers

News Source : PTI

2021-11-12 16:18

WFI has its way, sports NGO JSW agrees on tripartite contracts with wrestlers

Gonda, Nov 12 (Wrestling News) The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has reached an amicable agreement with private sports NGO JSW, which can now enter into contracts with the wrestlers but it will be a tripartite arrangement and the national sports body will be a part of it.

The WFI had expressed reservations about NGOs like JSW and OGQ offering contracts to wrestlers without involving it. It had also alleged that there was no transparency in the process as these organisations kept the WFI in dark regarding the support being offered to the wrestlers. When WFI made it clear that it will not allow any "backdoor" entry of any NGO into Indian wrestling, the officials from both JSW and OGQ reached out to the national body. It has been learnt that Director of JSW Sports Parth Jindal had three meetings with WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and OGQ also presented a proposal for its support. As per the arrangement, JSW would first seek consent from the WFI if it wants to pick any wrestler for support. If WFI allows, JSW can prepare a draft agreement and send it for perusal to WFI. If the agreement is cleared it will be a tripartite contract among the picked wrestler, JSW and WFI.   "Yes we have reached an agreement with the JSW. They are now with us. Parth Jindal came across as a through gentleman, who is passionate supporter of wrestling," WFI President Brij Bhushan told PTI. Not only supporting the wrestlers, JSW has also become one of the WFI sponsors. JSW logo will be put on jerseys of the wrestlers and coaches from now onwards along with main national sponsors Tata Motors. JSW got prominent space at the ongoing National Championship in Gonda where many hoardings and posters related to the marquee domestic event had the name of the company, which has committed Rs 3 crore financial support per year as per the deal.   It has been learnt that WFI did not find OGQ's proposal, which committed Rs one crore support per year, good enough. "WFI does not need OGQ," said a WFI official.

Star wrestlers like Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat have got consistent support from JSW and OGQ in the form of dedicated personal support staff such as coach and physios.   The support of Sports NGOs has been key in India's prominent wrestlers' continuous good show.

They attached coaches like Shako Bentinidis and Woller Akos with Bajrang and Vinesh.   WFI did not like the fact these coaches were on the payroll of NGOs and had brought Shako under its wings.

Also Read : Perfect ending for Nisha Dahiya at Nationals, emerges 65kg champion after 'murder story'

News Source : PTI

2021-11-11 18:50

Perfect ending for Nisha Dahiya at Nationals, emerges 65kg champion after 'murder story'

Gonda (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 11 (Wrestling news) It was a "perfect and happy ending" for Nisha Dahiya as she emerged national champion in the women's 65kg category a day after her dramatic "murder story" turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. The title clash ended in just 30 seconds with Nisha, the U23 world championship bronze medallist, pinning her rival Jaspreet Kaur from Punjab.

Except for her semifinal against Haryana's Priyanka, it turned out to be an easy day in the office for the 23-year-old Nisha, who represents Railways. "It indeed is a happy and perfect end to my campaign. I was so stressed yesterday. I could not even sleep. I was already low on energy due to weight cut and this incident just proved too much to handle," Nisha told PTI after winning her third gold medal at the Nationals. It was reported that Nisha had been shot dead in Sonepat but later it came to light that the deceased was her name sake and an upcoming wrestler.

Nisha's agility and attacking moves were too hot to handle for her opponents. She stood out with her leg attacks. "Of course, an athlete wants to be discussed and talked about but I am sure not in this way. I want people to know for my performance and not for such freak incidents," she said. "I got so many calls that I had to switch off my phone. It was becoming tense and I wanted to stay focussed on my competition. Eventually, it did not affect my performance," said Nisha, who is coached by Arjuna awardee Satyawan Kadian. Shafali and Priyanka, expectedly, won bronze medals by winning their respective play-offs. If groomed well, both the youngsters are expected to be good prospects for India in future. Before the final, both the 65kg semifinals were fast-paced and furiously fought. Jaspreet edged out Haryana's Shafali 6-4 while Nisha prevailed 7-6 against Priyanka. In the women's 76kg event, 37-year-old Gurhsranpreet Kaur won the gold medal after her rival Pooja Sihag left the mat in tears after twisting her right arm when the Punjab wrestler made a move on counter-attack as the match ended in the first period itself. It was the seventh gold medal for Gurusharanpreet at the Nationals. The 76-category seemed headed for a title clash between familiar names -- veteran Kiran and Gursharanpreet but Pooja prevented that with her 3-1 win over the Railways player. Gursharanpreet on the other hand had an easy win by fall against Bipasha, a talented Delhi youngster, who had won a silver medal at the junior world championship recently. Bipasha and Kiran won bronze medals. Competition for women was held only in two categories on Thursday while the Greco Style event concluded on the opening day of the championship. The two finalists in each category will represent India at the Commonwealth Championship, scheduled to be held in Pretoria, South Africa from December 3-5. While the gold medal winner will travel at the government's expense, the runner-up will have to go on his own. The WFI may ask for trials in men's freestyle 92kg since Deepak Punia, who skipped Nationals due to injury, has expressed interest in competing.

Also Read : Hot topics at Nationals: SAI's cold response to national camps, withdrawal of awards, policy change

News Source : PTI

2021-11-11 15:01

Hot topics at Nationals: SAI's cold response to national camps, withdrawal of awards, policy change

Gonda (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 11 (Wrestling news) The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) fears that the SAI's "cold response" to holding long-duration national camps may peg the sport back and deprive coaches Sujeet Mann and Jagroop Rathi of the Dronacharya honour despite the awards committee's recommendation.

The national federation says it had requested the Sports Authority of India to host national camps for men and women before the senior World Championship in Oslo and also before the Under-23 Worlds in Belgrade, but their request for one-month camps was not considered.

"We are getting an impression that SAI is not interested now in hosting national camps for the required time periods. They are asking why camps are required throughout the year. If that becomes the case, it is going to hurt the sport badly," WFI secretary general VN Prasood told PTI.

"They allowed only a 10-day camp before the Oslo Championship and after initially showing reluctance for a camp ahead of the U23 event in Belgrade, one week before the tournament they asked about it again. Now, what do you do in one week," he added. WFI sources said the SAI wants to focus on promoting the Khelo India camps only and that's why the "snub".

"Recently, Rs 50 lakh equipment was bought for the wrestling national camps. When are you going to utilise them if the players will not be at camps but train at their own akharas," said one official, who did not wish to be named. "Probably SAI wants that wrestlers should be there at camps organised at Khelo India Centres. But I am telling you no one is going to go there. And training at akharas, individually, is also not a good option for the long term. We have better coaches at national camps." Another official said that long-duration camps were introduced in 2010 to prepare for the Commonwealth Games and when results started to follow, it became a norm. "Everybody can see the results since 2010. Indian wrestling has only gone up in the last one decade. National camps are required throughout the year and if the duration is reduced, it will hurt the game. "There is a possibility that WFI may consider hosting the national camps on its own if SAI continues with the trend." SAI director General Sandeep Pradhan could not be reached for a comment since he is unwell. SAI had also recently refused to bear the cost of six out of 30 wrestlers participating in the U-23 Worlds, leaving the WFI to foot the expenses. DROPPING WRESTLERS FROM AWARDS LIST --------------------------------------------------------- Senior India coaches Sujeet Maan and 70-year-old Jagroop Rathi were recommended by the Sports Awards Committee for the Dronacharya honour but the sports ministry dropped the names while finalising the list. "This has happened for the first time that names have been dropped after recommendation by the committee. This is the humiliation of the highest order. It has never happened. It seems wrestling is being singled out for discrimination," said Prasood. Maan, 42, has been at the national camps and travelled with the Indian teams for last one decade while Rathi too is a respected name in the fraternity.

He had travelled with the team as coach during the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games and had trained the likes of Kripa Shankar and Satyawan.

"We were not even informed that our names are being dropped. People began congratulating us after the names were recommended. Still people are calling us but what do we say. It is so embarrassing," said Maan, who was with the U-23 team to Belgrade for the Worlds.

It has been learnt that Rathi has moved the Delhi High Court against the decision. MAJOR POLICY CHANGE FOR OLYMPIC SELECTION ------------------------------------------------------------- The WFI is set to discuss a major policy change, where the quota winners for the Olympics will be asked to appear in trials before the Games. Till recently the quota winners' places were not touched, but it is expected to change now.

The WFI feels it would keep "everyone on toes".

Also Read : SAI proposes sharper scrutiny for junior wrestlers, clears 30 grapplers for World U-23 C'ship

News Source : PTI

2021-11-11 14:31

It's time to prove myself yet again: Geeta Phogat

Gonda (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 11 (Wrestling news) Ready to take the mat after a three-year break, wrestler Geeta Phogat is not short on inspiration and motivation but a tad nervous about how her second innings will pan out.

Set to turn 33 next month and after giving birth to her first child, a lot of people has been telling her that wrestling won't be the same again for her because not only the sport but also her body has changed in the last three years.

But she is determined to make a successful comeback. After all, there are living examples that motherhood or age are not obstacles for a woman sportsperson.

"A lot of people tell me that age is not on my side. You know how people are. They keep telling me these things," Geeta told PTI as she readies for a comeback after three years at the National Championships her.

"But look at Maria Stadnik (from Azerbaijan). She is 33-plus and a mother of two. She has four Olympic medals and is a multiple-time world medallist. If you have fitness and you are focussed, you can do it." "I have worked hard on fitness and it's time to prove myself yet again," the wrestler, who became the first Indian woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in 2010, said.

One of the first few Indian women wrestlers to make a mark at the international level, Geeta says that mere thought of leaving the sport sends a chill down her spine.

"I have got a lot of success in my career but I have not yet got that feeling that it's time to quit. The sport is in my blood. I have been doing it for 20 years.

"Mann nahi maanta chhodne ka. The thought of leaving the sport scares me. I have Paris Olympics in mind," the winner of a bronze medal at the 2012 World championship added.

Geeta has spent the last few weeks at an Akhara (training centre) run by his husband Pawan Saroha's relatives in Delhi. She has trained only with male wrestlers, which has advantages as well drawbacks.

She talks about both.

"There are not enough strong girls in this Akhara, so I have trained with the men's wrestlers there. So strength and stamina is not an issue. I can say that I am fitter than I was when I took the break three years back," said Geeta.

"I'm not nervous about wrestling but I am coming back to the mat after a long time, so what I keep thinking about is how I am going to react to it now. I have not trained with girls, so I have no clue if I am strong or weak for my opponents. I don't know at what level my game stands today.

"When I will train with girls only then I can have a right assessment. Stamina, fitness and training have been good leading up to the Nationals. Even my family says that they see in me the same Geeta, that was at her best in 2012 but only competition will tell," she said.

Geeta acknowledged that the standard of women's wrestling has gone several notches up. They do not make just the number in India's travelling squad. They are treated with respect and considered a threat.

"The standard of women wrestling has really gone up in India. It's at a different level now. Wrestling has become fast now.

"Now we work more on sharpening technique and playing smart. The government is also now supporting sports persons and that is also making a huge difference." So, does it make a bit jittery since her opponents, especially Sarita Mor, will prove to be a tough challenge? "I won't say I am feeling pressure on comeback but that apprehension is there about how I am going to do in this fresh beginning. I still want to win medals for my country. "I have wrestled with Sarita 5-6 times in the past. She has a strong defence and my game is a mixed one. But I am ready for the fight."

Also Read : SAI proposes sharper scrutiny for junior wrestlers, clears 30 grapplers for World U-23 C'ship

News Source : PTI

2021-10-07 10:50

Anshu creates history, becomes first Indian woman wrestler to reach World Ch'ship final

Oslo (Norway), Oct 6 (Wrestling news) Anshu Malik on Wednesday created history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the World Championship final when she outclassed junior European champion Solomiia Vynnyk even as Sarita Mor lost her semifinal after shocking world champion and will fight for a bronze here.

The 19-year-old Anshu, the reigning Asian champion, controlled the semifinal from the beginning and won by technical superiority in the 57kg category to go into history books.

Only four Indian women wrestlers have won medals at the Worlds and all of them -- Geeta Phogat (2012), Babita Phogat (2012), Pooja Dhanda (2018) and Vinesh Phogat (2019) -- have clinched bronze.

Anshu also became only the third Indian ever to make the Worlds gold medal match after Sushil Kumar (2010) and Bajrang Punia (2018).

India has only one world Champion in Sushil till date and Anshu can create another history on Thursday.

Anshu's win also ensured India's first medal from this edition of the event.

Anshu was clever with her moves. At least thrice, she effected take-down moves from the left of Vynnyk and finished the bout with an exposure move. The Nidani girl started competing in the senior circuit only from last year and has made a steady progress since then. She also had qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.

Earlier, she was hardly troubled by Kazakhstan's Nilufar Raimova, whom she beat by technical superiority and later outwitted Mongolia's Davaachimeg Erkhembayar 5-1 in the quarterfinals.

Seasoned Sarita Mor shocked defending champion Linda Morais 8-2 in her opening bout and beat Germany's Sandra Paruszewski 3-1 in the quarterfinals.

Up against the reigning European champion from Bulgaria Bilyana Zhivkova Duodova, Sarita fought her heart out but lost 0-3. She will now fight for a bronze.

The reigning Asian champion had a tough opening bout against the 2019 World champion from Canada but came out trumps with a tactical 8-2 win in the pre-quarterfinals.

A quick take-down move, followed by an expose together with some superb defence put Sarita 7-0 ahead by the time the first period was over.

The only scoring point she conceded was a take-down move in the second period. She did not let Linda play her game, keeping her in lock positions.

Later, the quarterfinal against Paruszewski turned out to be a tougher bout, in which the two wresters were largely restricted to standing fight which took a lot out of them.

There was only one point-scoring move, a take down effected by Sarita late in the match and that sealed the outcome.

In the 72kg, Divya Kakran stunned Kseniia Burakova with a 'win by fall' but lost by technical superiority to Japan's Under-23 world champion Masako Furuich.

The 2020 Asian champion Divya fought her heart out in both the bouts and wriggled out of difficult positions umpteen times but hurried moves and over aggression cost her the quarterfinal against the Japanese.

Meanwhile, Kiran (76kg) won her repechage round against Turkey's Aysegul Ozbege to reach bronze play-off but Pooja Jatt (53kg) lost her repechage by fall to Eucuador's Luisa Elizabeth Melendres.

Kiran will face 2020 African champion Samar Amer Ibrahim Hamza.

Ritu Malik (68kg) was blown away by Ukraine's Anastasiia Lavrenchuk in the qualification bout that lasted only 15 seconds. It seemed Ritu was carrying a knee injury.

Also Read : World Championship: Sarita stuns world champ before making semifinals along with Anshu

News Source : PTI

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