Grappler Anuj Kumar loses first bout

India's freestyle wrestler Anuj Kumar started his Olympic Games campaign on a losing note when he was outclassed 5-1 by Majid Khodaei of Iran.

India's freestyle wrestler Anuj Kumar started his Olympic Games campaign on a losing note when he was outclassed 5-1 by Majid Khodaei of Iran in the 84 kg Pool 'A' elimination round here on Friday.

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Kumar was down by two points after two and a half minutes and then fought well to hold the stronger grappler within limits.

After the break, the Indian secured his only point in the fifth minute to narrow the lead before the Iranian came back strongly at Kumar to score three points in the last minute and emerge a runaway winner in the bout.

Kumar will face Hide Kazu Yokoyama of Japan in his next pool bout to try and stay in contention in the competition.

The Indian was penalised twice while his opponent was cautioned once for passivity.