India wrestler Aman Sehrawat has kept the hopes for a medal from wrestling intact, as he stormed into the semis of the men’s 57 kg freestyle category of the Paris Olympics, on Thursday. Aman, the only Indian male wrestler to qualify for the Olympics, was clinical in the two bouts he played.
First he beat North Macedonia’s Vladimir Egorov by technical superiority (10-0), and then followed it up by another 12-0 win over a former World Champion from Albania, Zelimkhan Abakarov. Now, later in the day, in the semis, things are expected to heat up, as Aman Sehrawat will be up against Japan’s Rio Olympics silver-medalist, Rei Higuchi.
Anshu Malik Gives Up Without Fight
On the other hand, Anshu Malik lost her opening bout in the women’s 57 kg freestyle event, against USA’s Helen Maroulis 7-2. Despite the poor performance, all’s not over for her as she might get a chance in the repechage round.
India, despite coming close to two medals in the wrestling arena in Paris Olympics, has not been able to open their account. First Nisha faced an untimely injury during her 68 kg quarters bout, and then it was the unfortunate ‘overweight incident’ of Vinesh Phogat, who despite reaching the final, was disqualified.