Indian women wrestlers on Wednesday provided a shot to India’s medal hopes in Rio Olympics as Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat advanced in their respective weight divisions.
Sakhi advanced into quarter-final of 58kg category after she defated Moldova's Mariana Esanu Cherdivara in pre-quarters.
The hard fought match was decided on the basis of technical points.
Earlier in the qualifying match, Sakshi came back from 0-4 down to post an impressive 5-4 win over her Swedish opponent -- Johanna Mattsson to advance to the pre-quarterfinals.
Vinesh had an easy outing in 48kg category as she thrashed Emilia Alina Vuc of Romania 11-0 by technical superiority to enter the quarterfinals.
Although she twisted her right elbow in the first 20 seconds of the bout, Vinesh did not let that bother her.
Phogat was dominant from the very beginning and won on the basis of Great Superiority, a difference of or 10 technical points -- the loser without points, at the Carioca Arena 2 - Mat A.
The 21-year-old got into action and without wasting any time flipped Vuc to bag four points. With her opponent struggling, Vinesh earned two more points with yet another take down to take a 6-0 lead at the end of the first period.
In the second period, she displayed some very good defensive technique and never let the Romanian get around her.
Vinesh then pushed Vuc on to the mat to get another four points and wrap up the match in style in 5.01 minutes.
The Romanian team asked for a referral but Vinesh's four points were retained.
The 21-year-old will now face China's Yanan Sun in the quarter-final match.
