Date: Tuesday 19
Indian Wrestlers Shine Amidst Challenges
In the heart of a gripping day of wrestling action at the prestigious UWW World Championships, Indian wrestler Neha Sharma has risen to the occasion, clinching a coveted spot in the bronze-medal round. While her journey continues with determination and promise, her fellow compatriots, Sarita Mor and Divya Kakran, faced formidable adversaries and were unable to advance further in this high-stakes tournament.
Neha Sharma Shines Bright
Neha Sharma, a formidable force in the non-Olympic 55kg category, put on a masterclass of exceptional skill and unwavering determination. In a thrilling bout that had spectators on the edge of their seats, she emerged victorious against Ukraine’s seventh-seeded Mariia Vynnyk. Neha secured her well-deserved win with a hard-fought score of 7-4 on points. Her remarkable performance now sets the stage for an electrifying bronze-medal match against Germany’s Anastasia Blayvas.
Should Neha Sharma, who entered the tournament as the 19th seed, clinch victory in the upcoming contest, it would mark an extraordinary achievement for the Indian contingent, securing their first medal in this edition of the World Championships.
Challenges Faced by Indian Wrestlers
The Indian wrestling contingent finds itself competing under the United World Wrestling (UWW) flag due to the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by the international governing body. The suspension, a consequence of the WFI’s failure to conduct elections within the stipulated timeframe, has added an extra layer of complexity to the competition.
Sarita Mor, a stalwart in the 57kg category, embarked on her journey with a statement victory. She dominated Venezuela’s Betzabeth Colmenarez convincingly with a score of 6-1 in the opening round. However, her path took a challenging turn when she encountered the formidable Nigerian wrestler, Odunayo Adekuoroye, during the pre-quarterfinals. The match was a closely contested battle, with Sarita ultimately succumbing to a score of 4-6.
Divya Kakran, carrying the hopes of her nation in the 76kg category, showcased her prowess in a thrilling showdown against Turkey’s Mehtap Gultekin during the qualification round. She secured victory with a score of 7-5, displaying a blend of technique and determination. Nevertheless, her pre-quarterfinal encounter against Canada’s world No.4, Justina Renay, proved to be an arduous challenge. Renay secured victory through superior technical points, illustrating the fierce competition at this elite level.
Repechage Hopes Dashed
The hopes of Sarita Mor and Divya Kakran to advance to the bronze-medal round via the repechage route were dashed as the opponents who had previously defeated them did not progress to the final rounds.
In the 65kg category, Antim Kundu, ranked 17th, etched her name into the annals of the championship with a sensational victory. She dominated world No.2 Iva Geric of Croatia with an impressive 6-0 win during the pre-quarterfinals. Antim Kundu’s performance garnered attention and applause. However, her journey came to a halt in the quarterfinals when her Chinese opponent, Lili, secured victory by fall. It was a moment that showcased the unpredictability and intensity of wrestling at this level.
Neelam, competing in the 50kg category, began her campaign with two commanding victories. She dominated Maral Tangirbergenova of Kazakhstan with a commanding score of 10-0, displaying her technical prowess. Neelam continued her winning streak by edging past Oksana Livach of Ukraine with a score of 6-4. These victories underscored her potential and determination. However, her path took a challenging turn when she faced a formidable adversary in world No.4 Feng Ziqi of China during the quarterfinals. Feng Ziqi secured victory by fall, putting an end to Neelam’s journey in the competition.
Despite their valiant efforts, both Feng Ziqi and Lili faced defeat in subsequent rounds, closing the repechage route for Antim Kundu and Neelam. It was a testament to the fierce competition and the fine margins that separate success from defeat at this elite level of wrestling.
The UWW World Championships continue to serve as a stage where Indian wrestlers demonstrate their unwavering determination, skill, and talent. As fans, we eagerly await more gripping battles in the days ahead, filled with moments of triumph and challenges that test the mettle of these remarkable athletes. Stay tuned for further updates from this prestigious wrestling competition as we witness history in the making. https://www.sportiwe.com/
