Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat Out of World Wrestling Championship

The Indian contingent are having a torrid time at the World Wrestling Championship in Paris. Vinesh Phogat and Rio bronze medallist Sakshi Malik, both crashed out of their respective bouts. Sakshi went down 1-3 to Germany’s Luisa Niemesch in the women’s 60kg category. Phogat lost to American Victoria Anthony in the 48kg class.

The only other female wrestlers in the competition, Sheetal Tomar and Navjot Kaur, bowed out earlier. Sheetal could only get as far as the quarterfinals of the 53kg class. Sakshi had only just moved up to the 60kg category at the Asian Championships but met with little success.

In the men’s division, all is not lost because there are still two wrestlers remaining with 2 days left in the tournament. Bajrang Punia, competing in the 65kg bout and Sandeep Tomar, competing in the 57kg bout, are still in the tournament and have a chance to save India the blushes.