Deepak Punia to fight for medal next at Tokyo Olympics, advances into 86kg semis

 

Deepak Punia to fight for medal next at Tokyo Olympics, Advances into 86kg Semi Final

India’s Deepak Punia pulled off a fine win under pressure to beat China’s Lin Zushen 6-3 and move into the semi-finals of the 86kg freestyle category at the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday.

Staring at an early elimination at the Makuhari Messe, the 22-year-old Deepak Punia managed a two-point takedown in the final 10 seconds of his quarter-final bout to keep his Tokyo 2020 campaign alive.

Though the Chinese bench challenged the validity of the move, the decision was held up, handing Deepak another point for the failed challenge. 

Deepak Punia will take on the former world champion David Morris of the USA next with a place in the Olympic final up for grabs.

The Indian wrestler kicked-started his debut Olympic campaign with a commanding 12-1 win over Ekerekeme Agiomor of Nigeria in the opening round. But against Lin Zushen, Deepak Punia had to fight hard for his points.

Deepak Punia led 1-0 in the opening period. Lin Zushen equalised at the start of the second with both then effecting a two-point takedown to level 3-3. At this stage, the 27-year-old Chinese grappler was ahead on criteria.

Deepak Punia was awarded another takedown midway through the second period. But a successful challenge from the Chinese bench saw the decision being overturned as the Indian wrestler stared at an early exit.

With just under 10 seconds to go, however, the Indian wrestler scored another two-point takedown and regained the lead. The Chinese called for another challenge, but the officials this time stuck to their decision, handing Deepak Punia the points for the takedown and another one for his opponent’s unsuccessful challenge.

(Source : olympics.com)