Dutt wants Russian’s family to retain silver

New Delhi, August 31

In a sporting gesture, Yogeshwar Dutt on Wednesday said he wants wrestler Besik Kudukhov’s family to retain the 2012 London Olympics silver of which the late Russian was stripped after testing positive for banned substances.

Yogeshwar had lost to Kudukhov in the pre-quarterfinals of the 60kg freestyle category at the London Olympics in 2012. The Russian went on to reach the final, which allowed Yogeshwar to compete in the repechage rounds. The Haryana grappler defeated three wrestlers to claim bronze.

However, the World Anti-Doping Agency recently decided to re-test samples from the 2008 Beijing and 2012 Games, which returned several positive results.

Kudukhov, who died on December 29, 2013, in a car crash in southern Russia, may now be stripped of his silver medal after his sample also tested positive. As a result, Yogeshwar’s bronze could now be upgraded to silver.

Yogeshwar, 33, however, said he remembers Kudukhov with respect. “He was a great wrestler. The fact that he failed a dope test after his death is really sad. I respect him as a sportsman,” Yogeshwar tweeted.

“If possible, he should be allowed to keep his medal. That will be honourable for his family as well. Human emotions come first for me,” he added. The results, however, are yet to be officially confirmed by the United World Wrestling and International Olympic Committee.  Yogeshwar’s sample too has to be cleared by WADA.

Kudukhov was a four-time world champion across two weight divisions. — IANS