Indian Greco-Roman Wrestlers Endure Another Disappointing Day

India’s Greco-Roman wrestlers endured another difficult day at the World Championships in Astana on Monday, with Asian Games bronze medallist Sunil Kumar among three Indians to lose their opening bouts.

Sunil, competing in the 87kg category, suffered a 0-9 defeat by technical superiority against Norway’s Exauce Mukubu. Sahil (63kg) and Sachin Sahrawat (67kg) also bowed out after losing their respective matches.

Sunil Kumar Struggles Against Mukubu

Expectations were higher for Sunil, who recently became the only Indian wrestler to win two Asian Games medals. However, Mukubu capitalised after putting the Indian in a par terre position for passivity and scored twice with lifts to secure a comprehensive victory.

The bout ended before the completion of the first period, with Sunil unable to mount a meaningful comeback.

Sahil And Sahrawat Also Suffer Defeats

Sahil lost 0-7 to Bulgaria’s Edmond Armen Nazaryan in the qualification round. The Bulgarian executed a shoulder throw before adding a gut wrench, while Sahil failed to register an attack.

Sahrawat came closer to victory but narrowly lost 5-6 against South Korea’s Hanjae Chung in the 67kg category.

Lalit was the only Indian to come close to a medal at the competition, but he lost his bronze-medal bout in the 55kg category.