Vinesh Phogat loses in qualification round at WWC

Belgrade: The three-time Commonwealth Games (CWG) champion Vinesh Phogat was on Tuesday knocked down by Mongolia’s Khulan Batkhuyag at the World Wrestling Championship.
Asian silver medalist Batkhuyag pulled off the first surprise of the session when she knocked off 2019 world bronze medalist Vinesh 0-7 in the 53kg qualification.
Batkhuyag took a 3-0 in the first period, then slammed Vinesh backward to the mat in the final seconds for 4 points and wrapped up the win.
Vinesh, who was a medal favourite, got a favourable draw after reigning champion Japan’s Akari Fujinami the pulled out of the tournament due to injury. However, the Indian failed to capitalize the opportunity and knocked out in the elimination round.
In other actions, two-time world silver medalist Emilia VUC Romania beats Neelam Sirohi with a 10-0 technical superiority using a gut wrench to a great effect in the women’s 50kg.
In the women’s 65kg, French wrestler Koumba Larroque beat Shafali with a technical superiority. (UNI)