Wrestling World Championships: Bajrang Punia Back In Medal Contention

Star Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia suffered a shock defeat in his quarterfinal bout but returned into medal contention as he entered the 65kg repechage round at World Championships in Belgrade on Saturday. Bajrang succumbed to a technical superiority (10-0) defeat at the hands of 23-year-old two-time cadet world champion Yianni Diakomihalis of the USA in the last eight round. However, the two-time Commonwealth Games champion, who is searching for his fourth World Championships medal, became active again as he entered the repechage round after Diakomihalis reached the final.

Bajrang will take on the winner of the bout between Vazgen Tevanyan of Armenia and Bulgaria's Vladimir Vladimirov Dubov in his first repechage bout on Sunday.

Earlier, Bajrang had defeated Cuba's Alejandro Enrique Valdes Tobier on points in the pre quarterfinals.

The reigning Asian Games gold medallist had been trailing 0-2 before he suffered a nasty cut on his head, for which the bout had to be paused for a few minutes.

However, Bajrang did well to hold on despite being heavily bandaged. He scored two takedowns and an activity point to take the bout 5-4.

Sagar Jaglan's quest for a bronze medal in 74kg ended as the 18-year-old lost to reigning Asian Champion Yones Aliakbar Emami of Iran 6-0.

The World under-20 bronze medallist had earlier defeated Suldkhuu Olonbayar of Mangolia 7-3 to move to the bronze medal bout.

He had entered the repechage on Friday after suffering a quarterfinal defeat to three-time world champion winner Kyle Dake of the USA.

Promoted

In the 97kg event, Vicky lost his qualification round bout to Samuel Scherrer of Switzerland 2-2. He was out of medal contention along with Pankaj (61kg), who also made an opening round exit after