Wrestler Amit sails into quarters, Narsingh loses to Canada's Gentry

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Indian male grapplers started their Olympic campaign on a mixed note with the youngest member of the contingent, Amit Kumar Dahiya, progressing to the quarterfinals even as Narsingh Pancham Yadav lost in his opening bout.

Living upto his billing, the 19-year-old Amit showed great skills to comeback into the match after losing the first period 1-0 against Hassan Sabzali Rahimi of Iran in the 55kg free style category.

Amit won the bout 3-1 in the third period after managing to claw back his way through a clinch in the second period.

The Delhi grappler, who in his very first international meet in the United States earlier this year won a gold, managed to hold on his Iranian opponent till the second period before getting lucky with the toss to earn himself a clinch position, which he utilised to the best of his capabilities.

In the third period Amit fought with aggression and managed to squeeze a winning point after employing a lethal putt, leaving the Iranian with no chance of making a comeback.

Narsingh, however, looked off-colour against Matthew Judah Gentry, losing the first period 3-0 and then allowing the Canadian to make a comeback in the second period after taking the initial lead.

Gentry won a point in the dying moments of the second period to break even and thus managed to win the match 3-1.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, however, remains in contention for a bronze medal through repechage if the Canadian wrestler reaches the final of the 74kg free style event.