The Tokyo 2020 dream for celebrated Indian women wrestler Sakshi Malik is all but over. The Rio Olympic Bronze medallist Malik crashed out of the Olympic qualifiers race as she was stunned by 2 time cadet world champion Sonam Malik in the Semi-Finals.
Sakshi who has been off color since the last few months still started off as favorite to qualify from 62kg category. The Railway girl was training in Colorado Springs since last 3 weeks in order to prepare not only for these trials but also the Asian championship and the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in China scheduled for the month of March.
Also Read: Indian Women Wrestling Team Trials: All you want to know about all the results, draws and updates
18 year old Sonam stuns Sakshi Malik – After getting direct entry into the semi-finals of the trials, Sakshi was up against the two time cadet world champion Sonam Malik. No one gave the youngster any chance but the Haryana teenager Sonam got better of Sakshi in intense duel. The duo had ended up leveled 10-each in their semi-final bout. Sonam was trailing 4-6 in the second period but produced a sensational four-point throw with just three seconds left in the bout to make it 10-10 and win on criteria of scoring the last point.
The two-time world cadet champion, Sonam also went on to win the final against fellow Haryana wrestler Radhika to qualify for the Asian Olympic Qualifiers team. This is the first time that 18 year old was playing in the senior category and in her first attempt itself she has delivered on the promise shown in the Junior ranks.
Pooja Dhanda also loses in the trials- The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games silver medallist Pooja was handed a 1-3 defeat by her Haryana State-mate Anshu Malik in the 57 kg quarterfinals. Anshu eventually went on to earn an India berth as she beat another Haryana wrestler Mansi in the finals.
The upsets in Lucknow today (Saturday) have all but ended the Tokyo 2020 dreams for the much fancied Pooja and Sakshi as new stars are all set to emerge on the horizon of Indian wrestling.
Also Read: Indian Wrestling Women Team Trials 2020 : Take a look at the draws and contenders for every category
The winners have earned the right to represent India at the Asian Championship, Ranking Series and the Asian Olympic qualifiers.
In yet another significant result, Divya Kakran wrote off her senior national championship disappointment as she went on to win in the 68 kg category in a clinical fashion.
Reigning 72 kg national champion made the grade in the 76 kg category, defeating Punjab’s Gursharan Kaur in the final. The RSCB wrestler had to compete in the 76 kg category as her core 72 kg is a non-Olympic weight category.
50Kg Final – Nirmala Devi ( HAR ) beat Pinki ( HAR ) by 10 – 0
53Kg Final – Vinesh Phogat (Railways) beat Nandani ( Mah) by 10-0
57Kg Final – Anshu Malik ( HAR ) beat Mansi Ahalawat ( HAR ) by 4-4
62Kg Final – Sonam (HAR) beats Radhika ( HAR )
68Kg Final – Divya Kakran ( RSPB) Beats Suman ( HAR )
76Kg Final – Kiran (HAR ) beat Gursharan Preet Kaur ( PUB) by 6-3
Complete Results of WOMEN TRIALS
50kg
Quarterfinal
Seema ( RSPB) Beat Swati ( Maharashtra ) by 12-4
Semi-Finals
Pinki ( HAR) beat by Sheetal (RAJ) by 6-2
Final –
Nirmala Devi ( HAR ) beat Pinki ( HAR ) by 10 – 0
53kg
Semi-Finals
Nandani ( Mah) beat Manpreet (Pub )
Finals –
Vinesh Phogat (Railways) beat Nandani ( Mah) by 10-0
57kg
Quarterfinals
Anshu Malik ( HAR) beat Pooja Dhanda ( HAR ) By 3-1
Semi-Finals
Mansi ( HAR ) beat Sarita Mor (RSPB) by 6-0
Anshu Malik (Haryana) beat Lalita (Railways)
Finals
Anshu Malik ( HAR ) beat Mansi Ahalawat ( HAR ) by 4-4
62kg
Quarterfinals
Radhika df Navjot by 6-4
Semi-Finals
Sonam (HAR) beats Sakshi Malik ( RSPB ) by 10 – 10
Finals
Sonam (HAR) beats Radhika ( HAR )
68 kg
Quarterfinals
Divya Kakran ( RSPB) beat Nisha ( HAR) by 5-2
Semi-Finals
Divya Kakran ( RSPB) df Anita Sheoran ( HAR ) by 4-0
Final
Divya Kakran ( RSPB) Beats Suman ( HAR )
76Kg
Semi – Final
Gursharan Preet Kaur ( PUB) beat Rani ( H.P)
Kiran ( HAR ) beat Sudesh ( HAR )
Final
Kiran ( HAR ) beat Gursharan Preet Kaur ( PUB) by 6-3
