[ad_1]
The wrestler faced Kyrgyzstan’s E Akmataliev in the 65kg freestyle.
Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia reached the quarterfinals of the men’s freestyle 65kg category at the Tokyo Olympics after defeating Ernazar Akmataliev of Kyrgyzstan in Hall A of Makuhari Messe on Friday. The match between Bajrang and Akmataliev ended with a score of 3-3, but the Indian won because he met the criteria in the 1/8 finals (higher score, two-pointer in the first quarter).
The second-seeded Indian started very aggressively, but Kyrgyzstan’s grappler defended well with his upper body strength. Soon, the referee noticed Akmataliyev’s passivity and took a shot on him, which allowed Baderang to get the first point of the game.
Enazal quickly pulled back a goal against the Indians and evened the score. In the last few seconds of the first half, Bajran benefited from the slip of the Kyrgyz wrestler’s leg and swooped to score two points.
The 27-year-old Indian star scored another point in the second half, but Akmataliyev returned strongly and threw Bajrang from the mat twice to equalize the score within a few seconds of the end of the game. As time passed, Bajrang defended fully to advance to the next round.
Bajrang Punia will now face Iran’s Morteza Ghiasi Cheka in the last 8 games. Earlier in the day, Seema Bisla lost to Sarra Hamdi of Tunisia in the women’s freestyle 50 kg 1/8 final. Hamdi defeated West Malaysia 3-1 to advance to the quarterfinals.
[ad_2]
Source link