Asian Games 2018: Sakshi Malik & Vinesh Phogat one win away from ensuring wrestling medals

India are off to a great start on the wrestling mat on Day 2 of the Asian Games with women wrestlers taking centre stage. Two Indian wrestlers are just one win away from ensuring medals.

Vinesh Phogat got off to a great start as she thumped Yanan Sun of China 8-2 to enter the last 8 of the 50 kg category. She was outstanding form in her quarter-final bout as she annihilated Hyungjoo Kim of South Korea 11-0 to win by technical superiority.

Sakshi, the 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medallist, outclassed Salinee Srisombat of Thailand to win by technical superiority in the 62 kg category. She was in outstanding form in the quarter-finals too as she blanked Kazakhstan’s Kassymova Ayaulym 10-0 to enter the semis.

Pooja Dhanda also got off to a winning start in the 57 kg category as she dominated her Thai opponent. Dhanda was at her ruthless best as she beat Orasa Sookdongyor 10-0 to win by technical superiority. She then outclassed Nabira Esenbaeva of Uzbekistan 12-1 in the quarter-final to get into touching distance of ensuring a medal for India. Pooja though went down meekly, 0-10, to Jong Myong of North Korea in the semi-finals.

Pinki disappointed in the 53 kg category as she lost her opening bout 0-10 to Mongolia’s Sumiya Erdenechimeg. She could make it to the repechage if her opponent reaches the final round.

Sumit Malik, the only male wrestler in the fray today, lost his first round bout to Iran’s Parviz Hadibasmanj.

First Published: Aug 20, 2018 13:07 IST