Yogi’s bronze from London Games may turn to silver

Sabi Hussain

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 29

Haryana wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt may see his London Olympics bronze medal upgraded to a silver in the coming days. The Tribune has reliably learnt that late Russian wrestler Besik Kudukhov, who had defeated Dutt in his opening round of men’s freestyle 60kg division in London, is likely to be stripped of his silver medal for failing a dope test.

Kudukhov had died in a road accident in December 2013 after his speeding car collided with a truck on a highway.

Kudukhov had been fighting a dope case against the use of the banned substance at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) but his untimely death delayed the court proceedings. His lawyer had appealed to the CAS that since Kudukhov had passed away, the matter shall be put to rest.

However, the CAS panel continued with its hearing into the case to ascertain Kudukhov’s dope-tainted past. Now, it has been learnt from sources that the CAS panel has possibly found Kudukhov guilty of using the banned substance and may strip him of his silver, which he had won after going down to Azerbaijan’s Toghrul Asgarov in the London final.

Although, the CAS hasn’t come out with an official ruling, sources said that the verdict will be out this week with Dutt’s bronze medal getting upgraded to silver. North Korea’s Ri Jong-Myong, whom Dutt had defeated in his bronze-medal play-off in the repechage round, may see himself moving up from his fifth-place finish to securing a bronze after the CAS decision.

If Dutt’s bronze is changed to silver, he will join two-time Olympic medallist and fellow grappler Sushil Kumar as another silver medallist from the London Games.

When The Tribune contacted Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) officials, they remained tight-lipped with no one coming forward to confirm the development. However, a WFI insider revealed that such a move is on the cards and the federation has been keeping a close watch on the CAS ruling. 

“Yes, we have also heard about it. In fact, the WFI tried to confirm it on its own and the news is that Dutt’s bronze may be upgraded to a silver medal. Kudukhov has most likely been found guilty of using a prohibited substance and will be stripped of his silver. Let’s wait for a couple of days for the official confirmation,” said the insider.

The WFI has written to world wrestling body, seeking clarification on the issue. 

Dutt, who had featured in his swansong Olympics at the Rio, had crashed out of the Games in the first round itself after losing to Mongolia’s Ganzorig Mandakhnaran. 

Kudukhov was also a four-time world champion and had clinched a bronze in the 2008 Beijing Games in the 55 kg category before moving up to the 60kg weight category.