Tokyo – Sonam Malik lost her initial match against Bolortuya Khurelkhuu in the women’s freestyle 62kg 1/8 final on Tuesday, putting India’s wrestling campaign at the Tokyo Olympics on hold.
The 19-year-old took a 2-0 lead after earning two push-out points, but Khurelkhuu, the Asian silver medalist, tied the score with a take-down manoeuvre with just 35 seconds remaining in the match. The score stayed 2-2 to the finish, but the Mongolian was declared the winner on criteria since she got the last point with her move.
During a large portion of the fight, there was very little activity. The two wrestlers measured each other from standing posture for an hour and a half before making a move. The Mongolian was put on the clock, but Sonam scored a push-out point to establish a 1-0 lead, which she maintained until the conclusion of the first three minutes.
She went up 2-0 after another push out. For the most part, Sonam held the Mongolian at bay, but Khurelkhuu was able to seize the Indian’s leg and get the critical take-down. Sonam, a two-time Cadet World Champion (2017, 2019), reached the final of the Asian Qualifier in Almaty in April, qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics.
Khurelkhuu, being a seasoned competitor, understood when to make the crucial move.If the Mongolian qualifies for the final, Sonam will compete in the repechage round for a bronze medal. Sonam’s tenacity and dedication are admirable, since she began her career by winning gold at the National School Games in 2016.
Sonam made her international impact by earning bronze in the Cadet Asian Wrestling Championship and the Cadet World Wrestling Championship in 2018 while competing in events. Sonam earned the gold medal at the Cadet World Wrestling Championships the next year.
