Ritu fails in bid to clinch Worlds bronze

NEWDELHI: Ritu Malik’s efforts fell short in the 65kg category bronze medal playoff as the Indian went down to Ayana Gempei from Japan 3-7 in the World Championships at Budapest on Wednesday. The Japanese, who won the under-23 world title last year and added this year’s World Cup crown, proved her superiority yet again.

By the end of the first period, the Japanese with a takedown and a step-out led 3-1 and, in the second, retained her aggression to score four more points, both on take downs.

Earlier, Japan’s Yukako Kawai outclassed Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik 16-2 in the 62kg quarters. The twice World Cup title winner was technically superior to Sakshi. However, the Rio Games bronze winner entered the repechage round after Kawai had reached the final.

In 50kg category, after a rousing start by Ritu Phogat in the pre-quarters against Thi Yuan Nguyen of Vietnam with a technical superiority, the Indian lost her quarter-final bout by fall to Yui Susaki. The last year’s world champion in 48kg category won 11-0. Like Sakshi, Ritu too got luckier and entered the repechage round. CWG silver medallist Pooja Dhanda lost 3-4 to China’s Ningning Rong in the 57kg. Pooja should thank her quarter-final opponent from China for giving her a lease of life in the repechage round as Rong entered the final, to be played on Thursday.

CWG SILVER MEDALLIST POOJA DHANDA LOST 34 TO CHINA’S NINGNING RONG IN THE 57KG CONTEST