Indian wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya settled for Silver, after he lost the final match against Russian Olympic Committee’s Zaur Uguev in the 57 kg Freestyle Wrestling at the Tokyo Olympics.
World Champion Zaur Uguev defeated Ravi Dahiya 7-4.
The Russian (representing the ‘Russian Olympic Committee’ owing to WADA ruling) pushed Ravi twice out of bounds in the early minutes of the match to take a 2-0 lead.
Soon after, Ravi Kumar managed a takedown, leveling the score, but only for a short while.
Zaur Uguev accomplished a takedown gaining two points to restore his earlier lead. The score stood at 4-2 in the ROC player’s favor.
Ravi Kumar attempted a takedown again but could not pull it off.
Ravi managed to defend a takedown attempt by Zaur Uguev but lost one point in the process.
With the score at 5-2, Uguev managed a takedown to up his lead to 7-2.
With the final bout coming to a close in minutes, Ravi Kumar scored two more points by a takedown bringing Zaur Uguev’s lead down to 7-4.
Zaur Uguev skillfully warded off the Indian wrestler’s attacks after this to clinch his Olympic Gold.
Zaur Uguev has previously defeated Ravi Kumar Dahiya in the semifinal match at the World Championships in 2019.
Deepak Punia misses out on the Bronze Medal
Deepak Punia, who had a shot at the Olympic Bronze, lost to Myles Amine of San Marino in the 86 Kg Freestyle Wrestling.
Deepak scored first with a takedown and led the match 2-0 against Myles.
The San Marino player scored a point before the break, bringing the Indian’s lead down to 2-1.
After the break, Deepak’s strategy seemed to be warding off Myles Amine’s attacks to the last minute and winning by points. And it nearly worked too.
But in a dramatic turn of events, the San Marino wrestler placed an ankle lock on Deepak in the final seconds of the match, converted it to 3 points, and earned himself an Olympic Bronze.