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Sakshi Malik loses to Risako Kawai in Asian Wrestling Championship, wins silver
Sakshi Malik, the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympics medal, was beaten 0-10 by Japan’s Risako Kawai in the 60kg category final in Asian Wrestling Championship
There was huge expectation from India’s Rio Olympic Games bronze medallist Sakshi Malik in the final of the women’s 60kg event of the Asian Championship, but she fumbled on the mat against an Olympic champion Risako Kawai, to settle for silver.
The Indian grappler though reached the final, she didn’t showed aggression to take control of the bout, indicating she wasn’t prepared for a tough match. She eventually lost in two minutes 44 seconds by 10-0.
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The strong Japanese showed her skills to race to 4-0 lead in the opening 90 seconds. With another good move Japanese ended the Indian dream of winning gold.
After the bout, Sakshi admitted she wasn’t thoroughly prepared for the continental meet. The long break after Rio Games perhaps had its impact, she said. But was hopeful of making amends in the Worlds in August. ‘’I have enough time to prepare for the global meet,’’ she said.
Sakshi Malik had tied a knot with Satyawart Kadian in first week of April, though she joined the national camp within a fortnight of her marriage, she struggled to keep a check on her weight. Initially she was suppose to contest in 58kg but later switched to 60kg.
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Silver for Vinesh, Divya
India’s Vinesh Phogat coming back from a long lay-off from an injury, she had sustained at the Rio Olympic Games, also settled for silver in the 55kg. She lost to Sae Nanjo of Japan 4-6.
In the last bout of the day, India’s Divya Kakran also lost to Japanese Sara Dosha 8-0 to win India’s third silver of the day.
Earlier, India’s Ritu Phogat won the bronze in the women’s 48kg category without breaking into sweat as her Chinese opponent Yanan Sun gave a walk over. Ritu wasn’t happy as she wanted to fight and win. “Wish I could have shown my skills,’’ she said.
