Rio de Janeiro, Aug 17 (IANS) Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik defeated Moldova's Mariana Esanu Cherdivara on a four point take down criteria in the women's Freestyle 58 kilogram qualification match to enter the 1/4 final round at the Rio Olympics here on Wednesday.
The scoreline read 5-5 after two rounds. But the 23-year-old Indian was declared the winner having superior Class points 3-1 at the Carioca Arena 2 - MAT B.
The Rohtak-born grappler was trailing 0-3 initially, but upped her game to mount a successful comeback, clawing to 1-3 and then securing four successive points to lead 5-3.
Sakshi was unable to hold on to the lead as Mariana squared the contest on points.
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But securing four consecutive points tilted the balance in her favour.
Sakshi defeated Sweden's Malin Johanna Mattson 5-4 in the qualification match earlier.
She will play against Russia's Valeriia Koblova in the 1/4 round match.
--IANS
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