Greco-Roman wrestlers out in first round at World C’ships
NUR-SULTAN, KAZAKHSTAN: In a dismal start for India, none of the four Greco-Roman wrestlers could win a round on the first day of the World Championships.
Competing in non-Olympic categories, Asian Championship silver medallist Harpeet Singh (82kg), Sagar (63kg) and Manjeet (55kg) could not even score a single point in their respective bouts. Only Yogesh (72kg) resisted his American rival Raymond Anthony Bunker III before suffering a narrow 5-6 defeat.
If the winners against the Indians reach the title-clash, they will get repechage rounds to be in contention for bronze medals. In his pre-quarterfinal, Yogesh, who had finished fourth at the Asian Championship, lost a point due to passivity and two more to trail 0-3. Towards the end of the first period, the American pushed Yogesh out to make it a healthy 4-0 in his favour. Just before the end of first minute in the second period, Yogesh earned a point and added four more with back-toback gut-wrenches to lead 5-4.
However, he lost the lead on counter-attack by Bunker, who made it 5-5 before settling the bout by pushing the Indian out.
In 82kg, Harpreet Singh was outplayed by Petr Novak from Czech Republic. Novak won 7-0.
In the toughest draw, Manjeet lost to reigning world champion Eldaniz Azizli from Azerbaijan in the pre-quarterfinals on technical superiority. In the 63kg, Sagar could stay on the mat only for about two minutes, losing to local wrestler Almat Kebispayev.