Paris Olympics 2024: Indian wrestlers Sujeet Kalkal and Jaideep Ahlawat displayed grit but ultimately came up short in their quests for Paris Olympic 2024 berths at the World Qualifiers. This leaves India with just one male wrestler for the Paris Games. Aman Sehrawat remains the sole male representative after a strong showing in the qualifiers.
How did Sujeet Kalkal and Jaideep Ahlawat fell short?
Sujeet impressed in the crucial 65kg bronze medal match against USA’s Zain Allen Retherford. He countered a potential takedown with a move of his own, leading for most of the bout. However, his eagerness for another takedown backfired as Retherford capitalized with a counter takedown, securing a narrow 2-2 victory based on criteria. With Sujeet Kalkal’s loss, any lingering hopes for Bajrang Punia, currently suspended for a doping test refusal, to compete in Paris are extinguished.
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Jaideep Ahlawat started brightly in the 74kg repechage round, showcasing technical superiority in his win over Turkmenistan’s Arslan Amanmyradov. Unfortunately, his journey ended in the bronze medal match against Soner Demirtas of Turkey. Despite a valiant effort, Ahlawat fell short, losing 1-2.
India’s contingent in Paris will still boast six wrestlers, with five quotas secured by the women’s team. Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Antim Panghal (53kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), and Reetika Hooda (76kg) all qualified through previous events.
While the men’s team fell short of adding more qualifiers, the strong performance by the women wrestlers ensures India will still have a presence on the wrestling mats in Paris.
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