The fourth day of the Rome Ranking Series started on a bad note for India as 2019 world medallist Deepak Punia crashed out of the tournament in the opening round. But his good mate Ravi Dhaiya has brought back smile on the Indian faces as he won both his bouts in the 61kg category to assure himself at-least a top 2 finish. After easily winning his opening bout, Dhaiya squared off against his fellow bronze medallist at 2019 world championships, Nurislam Sanayev of Kazakhstan. Like Ravi, Saniyev also decided to move to 61kg category from his regular 57kg. In the interesting match-up Dhaiya looked extremely strong and overpowered the Kazakh wrestler 6-0 to assure himself at-least a silver medal.

Earlier Dhaiya started his campaign in 61kg category with a win. In the first round robin match Ravi easily defeated Alexandru Chirtoaca of Moldova 16-4. As only 4 wrestlers have entered in this non-olympic category, all wrestlers are playing against each other in the round-robin format.

Also Read: Gold in Rome shows I am on right track in Olympic year: Vinesh

Dhaiya will now play his final bout against another Kazakh wrestler Nurbolat Abdulaiyev and victory in this match will give Ravi his first senior ranking series gold medal.

Tough first round victory for Bajrang Punia in 65kg – The Indian champion was drawn to meet Zain Allen Retherford of USA in the last 16 bout. 24 year old Retherford is considered as one of the big hopes of USA wrestling and was expected to give Bajrang run for his money and that is what happened in the first round. Retherford with his aggressive style did not gave Bajrang any chance to attack in the round 1. In the round 2, 2018 Asian Game gold medallist Punia made a comeback in the see-saw battle and eventually triumphed in last 15 seconds to win 5-4.

Bajrang will meet 2014 Junior world silver medallist, Joseph McKenna of USA in the quarterfinals

Deepak Punia shocked in the first round – Indian wrestling’s big hope and 2019 world silver medallist Deepak Punia has shockingly lost in the opening round of the 86kg category. Punia was completely off-color as he was defeated by 2018 Pan American Games runner up Ethan Adrian Ramos of Portugal in completely one sided encounter. The Portuguese wrestler won the bout 13-1. Deepak looked in some discomfort during the bout and was not in his elements.

Jitendar in quarterfinals of 74kg – The Haryana grappler qualified for the Indian team after winning the WFI trials but is still on test as as sword in garb of Sushil Kumar is still hanging on his head. Performance was the buzzword for Jitendar as he took on mat against Denis Pavlor of Ukraine. Jitendar did not disappoint his backers as he easily won the opener 10-1 to make it to the last 8 of 74kg category.

Jitendar has tough quarterfinal encounter in store as he will take on Rio Olympic medallist Soner Demitras of Turkey. The 28 year old 2018 European Champion Demirtas is in good form as he just won gold at the Yasar Dogu International.

Rome Ranking Series – Day 4
61kg – Ravi Dhaiya (Played in Round Robin) Bout 1 Ravi Dhaiya beat Alexandru Chirtoaca (Moldova) 16-4 Bout 2 Ravi Dhaiya vs Nurislam Sanayev (Kazakhstan)65kg – Bajrang Punia Last 16 – Bajrang Punia beat Zain Allen Retherford (USA) 5-4 Quarters – Bajrang Punia vs Joseph McKenna (USA)74kg – Jitender Last 16 – Jitender beat Denis Pavlov (Ukraine) 10-1 Quarters – Jitender vs Soner Demirtas (Turkey)86kg – Deepak Punia Last 16 – Deepak Punia lost to Ethan Adrian Ramos (Portugal)	1-13

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