Wrestler Anshu too bags Olympics berth
Having landed in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, on Friday, Anshu Malik was worried as she had to reduce a kilo before the weigh-in for the Asian Olympic wrestling qualifiers in Almaty, Kazakhstan, the next day. A nine-hour layover in Tashkent meant she had to get down to business straightaway at the airport. “I was above weight and we reach Almaty just seven hours before weigh-in,” Anshu said. “I was running at the airport in Tashkent to reduce weight. I just wanted to do it, qualify myself for Tokyo,” Anshu was quoted as saying in UWW (world wrestling body) website.
With direct flights to Almaty cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Indian contingent had to take a circuitous route to reach the city. The teenagers—Anshu Malik and Sonam Malik— though showed no fatigue or jetlag during their bouts, sealing their maiden Olympic berths in style. Both secured Tokyo spots by reaching the final of their weight divisions, Anshu losing the summit clash and Sonam giving a walkout to protect an injured knee.
Anshu gave a dominant display, steamrolling her opponents in 57kg. She won all her bouts on technical superiority. She swept aside Korea’s Um Ji-eun 10-0 and then blanked Kazakhstan’s Emma Tissina (10-0) as well. The 19-year-old conceded her first point in the semi-final, against Shokhida Akhmedova of Uzbekistan, when the Uzbek wrestler led 4- 2.
Anshu stepped up attacks and grabbed six points to finish the first period 10- 2 ahead. She wrapped it up (12-2) in the second period.
In the final, Anshu faced a tougher opponent in Mongolia’s Boldsaikhan Khongorzul and trailed 1-4. She drew level 4-4, but Khongorzul had enough in reserve for a last-second attack, edging past the Indian 7-4.
It was a big day though for youngsters Anshu and Sonam, thick friends since they were young girls. Both have won medals in World Cadet Championships and worked hard to realise their Olympic dream. “She is a very good friend, we share everything. To qualify with her for the Tokyo Olympics is the best feeling,” said Sonam. Nisha Dahiya, the third Indian in the semi-final, lost to Meerim Zhumanazarova of Kyrgyzstan 13-3 in her third bout, after clearing two rounds comfortably. She won bronze.
Sonam and Anshu will join Vinesh Phogat (53kg) and male wrestlers Bajrang Punia (65kg), Ravi Dahiya (57kg) and Deepak Punia (86kg), who are all guaranteed quota places from the World Championships. “Wohooo, what a spirit Sonam and Anshu. feeling ecstatic. Congratulations,” tweeted Vinesh.