WRESTLING Vinesh gets tough first round draw at Worlds

Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan), Sept. 16:Tension was palpable in the Indian camp after the country’s biggest medal hope Vinesh Phogat was pitted against Olympic bronze medallist Sofia Mattsson in the “toughest possible” draw for the World Championships here on Monday.

Vinesh had recently beaten Sofia, a six-time World Championship medal winner, on way to the Poland Open titlewin last month, but facing the formidable Swede in the very first round is a different proposition.

The 29-year-old Sofia won the last of her fourth European Championship gold medal in 2016 and the seasoned campaigner will surely be a threat to India’s hopes.

She is ranked five in the world in 55kg, which is a non-Olympic category. Vinesh Phogat

If Vinesh, who is ranked sixth in 53kg, manages to get past Sofia, she will likely have to lock horns with world number two (in 55kg) and reigning world champion, Mayu Mukaida.

In the other Olympic category, Seema Bisla, the world number three, will clash straight in the 50kg pre-quarterfinals.

In the two non-Olympic categories, Lalita will open her campaign against Monglia’s Bolortuya in the 55kg pre-quarterfinals.

NAVEEN STAYS IN MEDAL CONTENTION The Indians finally showed some stomach for fight as Gurpreet Singh impressed in defeat at the hands of former world champion Viktor Nemes, while Naveen stayed in medal contention, albeit with a bit of luck, here on Monday.

Naveen was the first to lose, to 2018 PanAkmerican champion Oscar Pino Hinds by technical superiority, but the Cuban reached the final to help the Indian stay alive in the 130kg category of Greco Roman style. Arsenal’s David Luiz (right) vies for the ball with Abdoulaye Doucoure of Watford in their English Premier League match in Watford on Sunday.