India’s Nirmala Devi (48kg) and Vinesh (51kg) failed to impress in the women’s section of the World Wrestling Championships even as men’s freestyle grappler Narsingh Yadav entered the repechages after his conqueror made it to the finals of the 74kg section here on Wednesday.
Yadav ran into reigning champion Jordan Burroughs of the USA in the second round where he was comprehensively beaten 0-7, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist failing to notch even a single against his superior rival.
Earlier, Yadav made a sound start as he overcame Russia’s Kakhaber Khubezhty 10-2 in the opening bout. But the 2011 World champion Burroughs’ challenge proved too much for him as the 24-year-old Indian was dominated throughout by his rival in a one-sided bout.
In the women’s section, Asian games bronze medallist Vinesh lost 3-4 in the second round to Isabelle Sambou of Senegal. Compatriot Nirmala was overwhelmed by world no. 1 Alyssa Lampe from USA 0-7 in the opening contest of their 48kg category.
Vinesh has an easy first bout and defeated Mexico’s Wendy Martinez 7-0 but failed to overcome Isabelle in an enticing battle.
Vinesh opened her account as she was awarded a caution point but soon her rival gained an upper hand by completing a back hold (two points) and finished the first three-minute period with a 2-1 advantage.
The Indian wrestler started off well in the second period and collected a two-point take down to gain a lead but the Senegalese girl soon wrested back the advantage in her favour with another back grip on the Vinesh to swing the bout in her favour.
Bajrang dedicates medal to Yogeshwar
Grappler Bajrang, who grabbed India’s second medal at the ongoing World Wrestling Championships in Budapest on Tuesday, has dedicated the bronze medal to senior wrestler and mentor Yogeshwar Dutt for playing a key role in shaping his career.
“Yogeshwar and I always share the room in camps. He has been a great guiding force for me besides my coaches. He is always there to point out my shortcomings to make me a better wrestler. He deserves a lot of credit for this medal. His presence at the mat side also helped. I consider him my family and he treats me like his younger brother,” Bajrang, who took a bronze in the 60kg category, the same weight category as Dutt’s, said on Wednesday.
Bajrang was happy that he did not return empty-handed from the event.
“I came to the championships to win gold. I had put in a lot of effort for that. But I can be satisfied with a bronze medal as this was just my second international tournament at the senior level (first being Asian Championships in April),” said the freestyle grappler.