Anshu Malik’s Tokyo Olympics wrestling campaign ends in repechage
The Indian wrestler, who went down to eventual finalist Iryna Kurachkina in the round of 16, lost 5-1 to Rio 2016 silver medallist Valeria Koblova in the repechage round.
Indian wrestler Anshu Malik bowed out of the Tokyo Olympics after losing 5-1 to Rio 2016 silver medallist Valeria Koblova of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in the repechage round of the women’s 57kg category on Thursday.
Valeria Koblova will now take on Bulgaria’s Evelina Nikolova, who lost to finalist Iryna Kurachkina in the semi-finals, in the bronze medal match.
In the round of 16 on Wednesday, Anshu lost to Belarus’ Iryna Kurachkina, who went on to make the final later, giving the Indian a reprieve via repechage.
The repechage rule allows wrestlers who have lost early in the competition a second chance, should their victor make it to the final.
On Thursday at the Makuhari Messe, the 19-year-old Anshu Malik started with attacking intent as her experienced opponent Valeria was cautioned by the referee with a 30-second passive warning. Valeria was quick to steal one point by pushing Anshu out of bounds to take a 1-0 lead.
In the second period, Valeria Koblova, playing to her defence, was again cautioned but Anshu, celebrating her 20th birthday on Thursday, earned one point this time to level the score.
A passive warning is a 30-second warning where the wrestler has to score, failing which one point is awarded to the opponent.
Valeria Koblova responded towards the end of the match, upping her attack. The ROC wrestler managed two manoeuvres late in the bout that earned her two points twice, winning the bout 5-1.