Indian wrestlers Sonam, Anshu qualify for Tokyo Olympics

Almaty:India's young female wrestlers Anshu Malik and Sonam Malikon on Saturday qualified for the Tokyo Olympics after their impressive performances in the Asian Olympic Qualifiers, here.

Showing her dominance in 57kg competition, Anshu, 19, conceded only two points en route the final, winning all her three bouts by technical superiority.

Anshu started by beating Korean Jieun Um, then outclassed Kazak wrestler Emma Tissina and in the semifinal she beat Uzbekistan's Shokhida Akhmedova. In the final, the young wrestler will face Mongolia's Khongorzul Boldsaikhan, later in the day.

On the other hand, Sonam,18, edged China's Jia Long 5-2 before winning by technical superiority against Hsin Ping Pai of Taipei.

She trailed 0-6 in the semifinal against Kazakhstan's Ayaulym Kassymova but secured nine points in a row to enter the final (62 kg) of the tournament and secure herself the quota.

After today's feat, Anshu and Sonam joined senior pro Vinesh Phogat (53kg) in making the Olympics cut. India now have three women wrestlers, who will now fight for the medals at the Summer Games. Vinesh had qualified through the 2019 World Championship.

Among men, Bajrang Punia (65kg), Ravi Dahiya (57kg) and Deepak Punia (86kg) have already qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in the men's free style event.(UNI)