Ufa (Russia), August 20

A gold medal remained elusive for India at the wrestling Junior World Championships as both Bhateri (65kg) and Sanju Devi (62kg) lost their respective finals, while Saneh (72kg) was stretchered off the mat after enduring a knee injury in the bronze playoff here today.

Sanju had managed comeback wins in her previous bouts but it was not her day as Russia’s Alina Kasabieva took the gold with a technical superiority win.

Kasabieva first effected a take-down move and then got a two-point throw. There was still hope but once the Russian got hold of Sanju’s leg and got the desired grip to execute the fitley move, there was no chance for the Indian to come back. The match was over inside the first period.

Bhateri also failed to put up a fight and lost the final by technical superiority to Moldova’s Itina Ringaci. Bhateri’s strategy to play a waiting game proved to be a mistake as she hardly attacked.

Bipasha (76kg) had won a silver, while Simran (50kg) and Sito (55kg) won bronze medals on Thursday.

The Indian women ended with five medals — three silver and two bronze. The men’s freestyle wrestlers had won six medals — one silver and five bronze. The Greco-Roman wrestlers yet again struggled as none of the five in action today could make the semifinals. — PTI