Asian Olympic Qualifiers 2024: India’s Greco-Roman wrestlers fail to secure spots for Paris Olympics 2024
Indian Greco-Roman wrestlers put up a disappointing show on the third and final day of the Asian Olympic Qualifier in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, failing to secure their spots for the Paris Olympics 2024 on April 21, Sunday.
Moving to the details of the third day, in the 60 kg category, Sumit suffered a loss in the qualification round, losing 2-6 to Se Ung RI from North Korea. In the 67 kg category, Indian wrestler Ashu had to bow out of the campaign early after losing to Uzbekistan’s Abror Atabaev by a 0-8 scoreline.
Delving into the details of the 77 kg category, Vikas suffered a stunning loss against Rui Liu from China by 0-7 in the quarter-final. In the 87 kg category, Sunil Kumar lost to Berdimuratov Jalgasbay from Uzbekistan 2-4 in the quarter-final.
Interestingly, the Asian Games bronze medallist Sunil Kumar was the only Indian wrestler to secure a win, triumphing over Japan’s Soh Sakabe by 5-1 in the qualification round before propelling himself to the quarter-final.
In the 97 kg category, Nitesh was eliminated from the competition after losing to Dzhuzupbekov from Kyrgyzstan by 0-10 in the quarter-final. In the 130 kg category, Naveen suffered a blow in the quarter-final after losing to Lee Seungchan from South Korea by a 1-9 scoreline.
The last time an Indian Greco-Roman wrestler locked horns in an Olympics event was in 2016 when Ravinder Khatri and Hardeep Singh made it to the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Three wrestlers secure Paris Olympics berth at Asian Olympic Qualifier
So far, Vinesh Phogat (50 kg), Antim Panghal (53 kg), Anshu Malik (57 kg) and Reetika Hooda (76 kg) are the four wrestlers to secure their berths in the Paris Olympics 2024.
Notably, Antim Panghal secured her spot after winning a bronze medal at the World Championships last year. The other three wrestlers secured their spots after winning their respective semi-final bouts in the Asian Olympic Qualifier 2024.
The Asian Olympic Qualifier 2024 was the penultimate opportunity for Indian wrestlers to secure their spots in the Paris Olympics 2024. The World Qualification Tournament in Turkey, which will take place in May, will be the final wrestling qualifier for the quadrennial event.