Grappler Hardeep sprung a surprise by booking an Olympic quota place for India in greco-roman wrestling, which is not the country’s forte, after clinching a silver in the 98kg category final on the l
Grappler Hardeep sprung a surprise by booking an Olympic quota place for India in greco-roman wrestling, which is not the country’s forte, after clinching a silver in the 98kg category final on the last day of the Asian Olympic qualification championship in Astana, Kazakhastan, on Sunday.
This is the first time that an Indian greco-roman wrestler has secured an Olympic berth after the 2004 Athens Games, when Mausam Khatri had made the cut. In fact, in a heavyweight category, this is the first time that an indian greco-Roman grappler has ensured a place in the Games.
The top two finishers in each weight category here are assured of a berth in the Olympics, to be held later this year.
In the women’s category, Vinesh ran out of steam against Kazakhstan’s Zhuldyz Eshimova in the semi-finals, falling 4-5 to lose out on a chance to book an Olympic quota place.
She finished with a bronze after beating Uzbekistan’s Dauletbike Yakhshimuratova 10-0 in the third place playoff.
