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Yogeshwar qualifies for Worlds

Narasingh staves off stiff challenge from young Rana
Last Updated 07 July 2015, 18:46 IST

 Yogeshwar Dutt staved off a stiff challenge from Amit Dhankar while Narsingh Yadav survived a heart-stopping fightback from youngster Praveen Rana to clinch berths in the World Championships in their respective weight categories

The men’s trial at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium witnessed quality action in the presence of a packed and vociferous gathering with 16 Indian grapplers sealing a place in the Lag Vegas event from September 7-12.

Dhankar, an Asian Championship gold medallist, had moved court last year after Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had selected London Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar for the 2014 Commonwealth Games without holding the trials. The bout, therefore, stank of bad blood and saw aggressive tackles with both the wrestlers, staunchly backed by their respective group of supporters, fighting to prove a point.

Yogeshwar, who won 6-3 in the 65kg contest, later admitted he was under pressure to win the bout. “If I had not won people would have got a chance to point fingers at me and WFI saying the team picked for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games last year was not right. By winning I proved that the team was most deserving. It was a fast bout today. It might have appeared tough but if you see the score it was not so close,” Yogeshwar, who had to upgrade to 65 kg weight category because of new FILA rules, told reporters.

“I have all the major medals, except for the World Championships, so I would like to win a medal, preferably a gold and win a place in Rio Olympics. Our juniors are doing very well and I am expecting 2-3 of them qualifying for Olympics from World Championship.”

 Narsingh, who has emerged a potential candidate in the 74 kg, didn’t get to fight against the injured Sushi Kumar but was pushed to the wall by Rana. Narsingh, who comfortably took the first quarter 6-0 was caught off guard by Rana who dominated the second essay by reeling off five straight points only to fall short of time to lose 5-6.

All eyes, though, will be on Narsingh who can give jolt to Sushil’s hopes of Olympic representation if he clinches the qualification place in the World Championships. Chief coach Kuldeep Malik also backed Narsingh.

“Normally, when India books a place in a particular category, it is the wrestler who earns the country a place goes to the Olympics also,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sushil said he was not under any pressure. “Last year for me has gone mostly in injuries but I am hopeful of making the cut in Rio. I am not worried about Narsingh making the qualification, he has my support. The federation will take a call later,” said Sushil who will accompany the Indian contingent in World Championships. Rio Games could be the last appearance of Sushil in Olympics.

In the 57 kg weight category Commonwealth Games medallist Amit Kumar also overcame a stiff challenge from Sandeep Tomar 3-2 while Mausam Khatri defeated Satywart Kadian 6-0.

Results: Freestyle: 57 kg: Amit Kumar bt Sandeep Tomar 3-2; 61kg: Sonu bt Pardeep 3-2; 65kg: Yogeshwar Dutt bt Amit Dhankar 6-3; 70kg: Arun vs Manoj - Arun got walkover; 74kg: Narsingh Yadav bt Parveen Rana 6-5; 86kg: Naresh Kumar bt Gopal Yadav (RSPB) 7-3; 97kg: Mausam Khatri bt Satywart Kadian 6-0; 125kg: Sumit bt Krishan 2-0.

Greeco Roman Style: 59kg: Ravinder Singh bt Gaurav Sharma 2-0; 66kg: Deepak bt Anil Kumar 3-0; 71kg: M Rafique bt K K Yadav 3-2; 75kg: Gurpreet Singh bt Rajbir Chhikara 3-1; 80kg: Harpreet Singh bt Ravinder Khatri 1-0; 85kg: Manoj Kumar bt Rambir 8-0; 98kg: Hardeep bt Bhim (SSCB) 3-0; 130kg: Naveen beat Sonu 8-0.

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(Published 07 July 2015, 18:46 IST)

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