Asian Wrestling 2020: Mehar, Arjun to play for bronze medals after losing out in the semi-finals

India’s Arjun Halakurki (55kg) and Mehar Singh (130kg) will play for the bronze medals on the first evening of the Asian Wrestling Championships in Delhi. Arjun and Mehar both lost out in the semi-finals but can still win bronze medals for India. This means on the day 1 of the 6-day competition only Sunil Kumar will contest for the gold medal for India.

India’s most accomplished Greco-Roman wrestler off late Sunil Kumar again proved that he is one of the best in the business by entering the finals of the Asian Championships 2020 on day 1. Sunil registered brilliant comeback victory over Azamat Kustubayev of Kazakhstan in the semi-final bout. Indian was down 2-8 at one stage but made a great comeback as he won the bout 12-8 to make it to the Asian championships finals for the second consecutive time. In 2019 also Sunil made it to the finals and ended with his first silver medal.

In the finals of 87kg,  Rome Ranking Series silver medallist Sunil will play against Behrooz Mohammadali HEDAYAT from Iran who is participating in the Asian Wrestling Championships for the first time.

If Sunil registered a great comeback victory in the semi-finals, India’s Arjun Halakurki lost his last 4 bout from the winning position. 22 year old Arjun was comfortable leading 7-1 before bowing out 7-8 to Pouya Mohammad of Iran.

Another Indian in the semi-finals Mehar Singh lost out his last 4 bout. Up against Minseok Kim of Korea, Mehar lost out tamely to the Korean by 1-9 margin. Mehar made it to the Indian team at the last minute. Just 3 days before the Asian Wrestling, India’s number 1 in 130 kg, Naveen pulled out of the event due to injury. Mehar replaced Naveen and won his opening bout against DALER RAKHMATOV of Uzbekistan. 

Earlier India started the morning on an extremely disappointing note as Indian Greco-Roman wrestling’s big hope Sajan lost out in the opening round. Sajan was pitted against Under 23 Asian Champion of 2019 Renat Iliazuulu of Kyrgyzstan in the first round.  The Indian wrestler could not match the initial onslaught of Iliazuulu and lost out 6-9. Sajan who has won multiple medals for India at the age group events and recently won the Rome Ranking Series bronze was tipped to win medal at the Asian Championships as well. But Renat’s power moves in the first minute shattered his hopes and he was down 0-7. Indian tried making a comeback in the later stages and reduced the deficit to 6-7 but Renat finally prevailed 9-6 to make it to the last 8.

Quarterfinals – Arjun Halakurki (India) defeats Tuorki Ali (KSA) 10-2

Semi-finals     – Arjun Halakurki (India) lost to Pouya Mohammad (Iran) 7-8

Bronze Medal – Arjun Halakurki (India) vs Donghyeok Won (Korea) @ 6:00 PM

Last 16 – Sajan (India) lost to Renat Iliazuulu (KGZ) 6-9

Last 8 – Mehar Singh (India) beat DALER RAKHMATOV (Uzbekistan) 4-0

Semis – Mehar Singh (India) lost to Minseok Kim (Korea) 9-1

Bronze – Mehar Singh (India) vs Roman Kim (KGZ) @ 6 pm

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Asian Wrestling Champions 2020 Full Schedule, India squad, Where to watch live: All You Need to Know