PONTEVEDRA (SPAIN), Oct 19: Sajan Bhanwala became the first Indian Greco Roman wrestler to win a medal at the Under-23 World Championship when he edged past Ukraine’s Dmytro Vasetskyi on ‘criteria’ to emerge winner in the bronze play-off, here.
It was the Ukrainian who pulled off a four-pointer on the edge of the circle for a solid start but Bhanwala bounced back immediately with a strong move that got him into a position from where he could pin his rival.
Though he could not pin his rival, it was good enough to earn four points.
Bhanwala lost two more points and got into defensive mode. The bout ended at 10-10 but since the Indian had scored the last point he was declared winner on criteria.
In 60kgs, Sumit was in medal reckoning when he made the repechage round. He will face Kazakhastan’s Olzhas Sultan.
Six Greco Roman wrestlers travelled to the Spanish city for the championship along with two women and one free style wrestler while visas of 21 other Indians were rejected by the Embassy of Spain. (PTI)
