Yogeshwar Dutt loses pre-quarter (1/8) bout in 60 kg wrestling

After recording a brilliant comeback win over Anatolie Ilarionovitch Guidea in the qualifying rounds, Yogeshwar Dutt faced Besik Kudukhov of Russia in the pre-quarters (1/8) of the 60kg Freestyle wrestling event at the London Olympics.

The Russian was the favourite going into the match, having won 4 Golds in World championships and the Bronze medal in the Beijing Olympics. So Yogeshwar had his work cut out, but it would take a brave man to bet against the Indian, especially after his backs-to-the-wall performance in the qualifying round.

Round 1:

As always, the wrestlers started out cautiously, trying to gauge each other. At the fag end of the 2nd minute, Dutt had a grip on his opponent and seemed to have pinned the Russian down, but the judge did not award any points. The round went to a clinch, since both wrestlers failed to score any points.

The Russian won the toss and had the advantage going into the clinch. And he made full use of it, and despite Yogeshwar’s tight defence, was able to take the point and the round.

Round 2:

The Russian started the second round brilliantly and by the 45 second mark, had already notched up a point with a clever leg attack. Dutt tried to fight back with a leg grab of his own, but the Russian evaded him.

At the end of the first minute, the Russian once again went for the leg and succeeded to grab another point. He seemed to have a clear gameplan to attack the Indian, and raced into a 2-0 lead. Dutt needed a miracle to save the match, and time was running out

In the 2nd minute, Yogeshwar tried an audacious grab-and-throw and lifted the Russian over his head, but the landing wasn’t clean enough for the judges to award any points.

Dutt tried in vain, but the Russian was far too experienced for him. Now if Besik makes it to the finals, Dutt will get a chance to claim bronze via the repechage.

Well tried Yogeshwar, now we cheer for the Russian so that we may get a chance at Bronze.