Vinesh, Anshu win bronze medals for India in Asian Wrestling Championships
Indian women wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Anshu Malik secured a bronze medal each in their respective weight categories at the Asian Wrestling Championships here on Friday.
While Vinesh defeated Thi Ly Kieu of Vietnam 10-0 in the 53kg bronze medal bout, Anshu got the better of Sevara Eshmuratova of Uzbekistan to finish on the podium.
Vinesh had lost twice to Mukaida in 2019 -- at World Championship and Asian Championships -- and the trend continued as the gritty Indian yet again struggled to break the strong defence of the Japanese.
In a tough opening round, Vinesh tried single leg attacks a number of times but every time Mukaida blocked her move and eventually got the upper body lock to subdue the home favourite.
Vinesh has won a medal at every Asian Championship since 2013.
Out of India's two brightest youngsters, it was Anshu who bagged a bronze while Sonam Malik (62kg) , who was pitted against some heavyweights lost her bronze medal play-off.
Anshu opened up her campaign against Kyrgyzstan's Nuraida Anarkulova, winning by technical superiority but was outplayed by reigning world champion from Japan Riskao Kawai.
She then beat Sevara Eshmuratova from Uzbekistan to win her first medal at senior level.
"I had nothing to lose and every thing to gain. I now know where I stand when I am competing against seasoned wrestlers in this category. I have got richer in experience," said the 18-year-old.
Sonam, who had defeated Sakshi in the trials, showed good tactical mind in her resounding win against Korea's Hanbit Lee and also in the 2-5 defeat against world bronze medallist Yukako Kawai.
Up against world champion Aisuluu Tynbekova, it was a tough ask for her to get bronze but she fought well before losing.
In the non-Olympic 72kg, Gursharanpreet Kaur Mongloia's Tsevegmed Enkhbayar in the third place play-off to win her second medal at this championship.
"I have lived a very hard life. I am single mother. It has been a very difficult journey for me. I am competing at Asian after eight years. The tears are of happiness. I want my kids to know how hard the life could be but you have to continue to fight," the 37-year-old said.
