Greco-Roman wrestlers fail to impress

Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan), September 14 

In a dismal start for India, all four Greco-Roman wrestlers in action today exited the World Championships without winning a single match.

Competing in non-Olympics categories, Asian Championships silver medallist Harpeet Singh (82kg), Sagar (63kg) and Manjeet (55kg) could not even score a single point in their respective bouts. Only Yogesh (72kg) resisted his American rival Raymond Anthony Bunker III before suffering a narrow 5-6 defeat. “I was not patient enough,” Yogesh told foreign coach Temo Kazarashvili after the loss. 

“I have only myself to blame. I was close. If you look at the draw, I could have reached the semifinals if I had won this bout,” he said. 

Need time to improve

The standard of Greco-Roman is “very poor” in India, said former world champion Kazarashvili. “It will take a lot of time to bring improvements. The system needs to change. The process has begun and you have to wait for 2-3 years to see the results,” Kazarashvili said. “Greco-Roman is not very popular in India. India needs to find more wrestlers in this style. You have to have children picking up this style right from the school level.”

Harpreet lost 0-7 to Petr Novak from Czech Republic. “I was down with fever. I couldn’t give my best today,” said Harpreet. 

Manjeet lost by technical superiority to reigning world champion Eldaniz Azizli from Azerbaijan in the pre-quarterfinals. Sagar lost his qualification round by technical superiority to Almat Kebispayev. — PTI