Bengaluru’s Yodhas hunt down Punjab
Riding on strong performances from Pavlo Oliynik, Alyssa Lampe and Narsingh Yadav, Bengaluru Yodhas notched up a comfortable 5- 2 victory over Punjab Royals in the Pro Wrestling League in Noida on Sunday.
The day’s first bout between Mausam Khatri of Punjab and Pavlo Oliynik, world championship bronze medallist, representing Bengaluru Yodhas in the men’s 97kg was a neck- and- neck contest. While Pavlo dominated the opening round, Khatri made a strong comeback in the second to end the bout with scores tied 44. Oliynik was declared winner owing to better technique to give Bengaluru the early lead.
The women’s 48kg bout between Punjab’s Yana Rattigan and Alyssa Lampe of Bengaluru was an even contest. A total of 38 points were scored in the tournament’s highest scoring fight.
Alyssa took the first round 1410. The second round too was fiercely fought but in the end, Alyssa managed to defeat Yana 24- 14 by technical superiority.
Down 0- 2, Punjab Royals needed to win the next bout and the onus was on world championship gold medallist Vladimir Khinchegashvili.
Vladimir defeated Sandeep Tomar 12- 2 by technical superiority in the the men’s 57kg round to hand Punjab their first points.
Lalita Sherawat then gave Bengaluru Yodhas a 3- 1 lead as she eked out two points in the last three seconds to post a win over Priyanka Phogat in the women’s 53kg category.
Later, Punjab’s Geeta Phogat defeated Yulia Ratkevich 9- 8, but a solid team effort by Bengaluru grapplers saw them register a comprehensive win.