Divya Kakran (68kg) won silver and Reena (55kg) and Karuna (76kg) claimed bronze in women’s freestyle at the Junior Asian Wrestling Championships in New Delhi on Thursday. The other Indians in action, Shivani Panwar (50kg) and Sangeeta Phogat (59kg), missed out on a podium finish.
Japanese wrestlers dominated, winning three of the five gold medals.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Divya, a contender for gold, lost to Meerim Zhumanazarova of Kyrgyzstan in the final. The Delhi wrestler was 5-0 down in the opening three minutes. With a minute to go, Meerim raced to 11-0 to seal the deal.
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In the day’s last bout, Karuna beat Oyunbagana Batchuluu of Mongolia 10-0, while Reena beat Khodicha Najimova of Uzbekistan 8-2 for bronze.
In 59 kg, Sangeeta Phogat suffered a knee injury in an early round and wasn’t able to give her best in the bronze play-off, losing 5-10 to China’s Juanjuan Shi. Shivani Pawar lost her bronze play-off 3-2 to Marina Zakshevskaya of Kazakhstan.
India had hoped to win a medal in all five weight divisions. However, chief national coach, K Biju, said: “The team had good preparation, but small errors at crucial moments proved decisive.”
{{/usCountry}}India had hoped to win a medal in all five weight divisions. However, chief national coach, K Biju, said: “The team had good preparation, but small errors at crucial moments proved decisive.”
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