UWW Awards: Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik, Sarita Mor in top 3

UWW Awards: United World Wrestling announced winners in 10 weight categories each among men and women in freestyle and Greco-Roman. In the women’s section, three weight categories saw Indian wrestlers make the top 3 grade: Vinesh Phogat came second in the 53kg category, Anshu Malik finished third in the 57kg category while Sarita Mor ended up second in the 59kg category.

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Vinesh Phogat’s disappointing ninth place finish in the Tokyo Olympics robbed her of the chance of claiming top spot. Vinesh Phogat finished with 58 points thanks to her gold medals at the Rome ranking event, Asian Championships and Poland Open ranking event.

UWW Awards: Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik, Sarita Mor among Indians in top 3, check details

Mayu Mukaida of Japan clinched top spot in Vinesh Phogat’s weight category thanks to her gold medal winning feat at the Tokyo Olympics. She finished at the top with 68 points.

In the 57kg category, Anshu Malik finished with 76 points, which was the same as second placed Iryna Kurachkina. But Kurachkina’s silver at the Olympics meant Anshu Malik missed out on second. Anshu Malik’s Asian Championships win and silver at the World Championships ensured a top three finish.

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In the 59 kg division, Sarita Mor and top spot holder Bilyana Dudova both won their respective continental championships but Dudova clinched the Worlds gold while Sarita had to be content with bronze. As a result, she finished second in the rankings with 41 points.

UWW Awards: Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik, Sarita Mor among Indians in top 3, check details

The 2022 ranking season will begin with the Matteo Pellicone ranking event in Rome from February 3 to 7 followed by the second event – Yasar Dogu – in Istanbul, Turkey from February 24-28.

Japan and USA dominated the year-end rankings. Four USA and two Japan wrestlers finished top.

In both freestyle and Greco-Roman, top wrestlers in women’s wrestling will be awarded $10,000 while second-placed wrestlers will receive $7,000 and third-placed wrestlers given $3,000. UWW had announced equal prize money for all wrestlers.

UWW Awards: Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik, Sarita Mor among Indians in top 3, check details

The 2021 prize money combines the amount that was reserved for 2020 but was not distributed due to the impact COVID-19 had on the competition.

As a result of the Olympics and World Championships being held in the same year, UWW Bureau decided to award the medalist at the Olympic Games 20 percent more than the points awarded at the 2021 World Championships. All Tokyo Games gold medalists will get 10 additional points, silver will get 6 additional points and bronze will be awarded 3 additional points.

UWW Awards: Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik, Sarita Mor among Indians in top 3, check details

Wrestling