New Delhi: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat lost to Vanessa Kaladzinskaya of Belarus in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games. The Belarus wrestler defeated Vinesh 9-3. India’s medal contender Vinesh Phogat advanced to the last eight in the women’s 53kg category after beating Rio Olympic bronze medalist Sofia Matsson of Sweden in the first round. However, Vinesh still has a chance to win the medal. If Belarus wrestler Vanessa reaches the final, Vinesh will get a chance to participate in the repechage.
Vinesh presented a spectacular view of turning the defense into an attack in the first match. India’s 26-year-old wrestler defeated Swedish player Sofia 7-1. Vinesh had also defeated Mattson in the 2019 World Championships. Whenever Mattson attacked Vinesh’s right leg, the Indian wrestler retaliated and scored points. The Indian player maintained the spirit throughout the match and also created an opportunity to make the opposing wrestler mind, but the Swedish player managed to avoid it.
Anshu Malik lost in the repechage round
However, young Anshu Malik bowed out of the medal race in the 57kg category after losing 1-5 in the repechage bout against Rio Olympic silver medalist Valera Koblova of Russia. Although Anshu continued to attack against her strong opponent and was at one point in the lead, the Russian wrestler took the lead with two points and then managed to register a win.
