Indian wrestler Sonam Malik lost to Mongolia’s Khurelkhuu 2-2 in round 1 at the Tokyo Olympics. The 19-year-old will need to wait and see if she is in contention via repechage later. 

Malik (62kg) opened India’s wrestling campaign at the Olympics when she faced Asian silver medallist Bolortuya Khurelkhuu. She dominated for most of the match with a 2-0 lead. However, the Mongolian made a quick recovery in the last 30 seconds to stun Malik. 

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The score remained 2-2 till the end but since it was the Mongolian who scored the last point with her move, she was declared the winner on criteria.

Malik is the sole Indian wrestler in action on Tuesday.

There was hardly any action during a major part of the bout. No move was made till one and a half minute with the two wrestlers measuring each other from standing position.

The Mongolian was put on the activity clock but Sonam scored a push-out point to take a 1-0 lead and kept that till the end of the first three-minute period.

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Another push-out took her 2-0 in front. Sonam did not let the Mongolian make any move for a major part but Khurelkhuu managed to get hold of the Indian’s leg and got the decisive take-down.

Sonal Malik qualified for the Tokyo Games by making the final at the Asian Qualifier in April in Almaty.

Khurelkhuu, who is more experienced than Malik, stood on the podium on both occasions she took the mat this season.

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The Indian came to the Olympics after recovering from a right knee injury that did not let her fly to Russia for training.

“I am fine. There is no pain in my knee. It’s neither tough nor easy draw for me,” Sonam, who earned a name for herself by defeating Rio bronze-medallist Sakshi Malik four times, told PTI after the draw ceremony.

If the Mongolian makes the final, Sonam will get a repechage round to be in contention for the bronze medal.