Yogeshwar bags Rio berth

Asta, March 19: Star wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt has bagged an Olympic quota in the men’s 65 kg freestyle category at the ongoing Asian qualifying tourment here on Saturday. In the first round, Yogeshwar overpowered Korea’s Ju Song Kim 8-1 before defeating Xuan Dinh Nguyen of Vietm by technical superiority in the quarter-fils. The Indian had opened up a huge 12-2 lead over his Vietmese opponent.

In the semi-fil, Yogeshwar overcame Seungchul Lee of Korea 7-2. He thus bagged an Olympic spot as the top two wrestlers is each category are being awarded Olympic quotas.

Among other Indians in the men’s freestyle competition, Rahul Aware (57kg) and Satyawart Kadiyan (97kg) missed out on securing quota places in their respective categories after crashing out in the semi-fils.

This is the second quota place that Indian wrestlers have bagged for the Rio Olympics to be held later this year. rsingh Pancham Yadav had bagged a quota place in the men’s 74kg freestyle division in Las Vegas last year. IANS