Rio Olympics (wrestling): Sakshi Malik to play for bronze in repechage round

Rio de Janeiro: Indian woman wrestler Sakshi Malik lost in the quarterfinals of 58kg while Vinesh Phogat was stretchered off after suffering a knee dislocation during her quarterfinal bout at the Rio Olympics here on Wednesday. Vinesh's campaign is over after she retired hurt following a dislocation of her right knee half-way into the first period of her 48kg quarterfinal fight against China's Sun Yanan. First point of the quarterfinal bout went to Vinesh with her Chinese opponent showing passivity but Sun Yanan soon hit back with a single-leg takedown to earn two points. The Chinese suddenly pinned the Indian down in an awkward position and Vinesh sustained an injury to her right knee, which forced her to forfeit the bout 1-2. The 21-year-old, who was touted as a medal prospect for India, was seen grimacing in pain as she was treated for about five minutes before being stretchered off for medical treatment. She would not be able to fight in the repechage round even if the Chinese reach the final of 48kg. "We all are awaiting MRI report but she cannot fight again," India's Chef de Mission, Rakesh Gupta said. "It seems she has dislocated her right knee. The medical scan will exactly reveal the nature of the injury," coach Kuldeep Singh said, giving a preliminary update. Meanwhile, Sakshi went down in the quarterfinals of 58kg after losing 2-9 to Valeria Koblova of Russia. Earlier, she had made strong comebacks in both her initial round bouts to advance to the quarterfinals. After conceding one point in the first period of her quarterfinal fight because of passivity, Sakshi did well to earn two points in the second period with a take-down. But the Russian girl, with enormous strength, hit back to pocket four points before gaining another two to take a 7-2 lead. She earned two points again to win the bout 9-2 and make the semifinals. If the Russian manages to reach the gold-medal bout, Sakshi will get a shot at the bronze with a chance to fight in the repechage round. After coming back from a 0-4 down to post an impressive 5-4 win over her Swedish opponent --  Malin Johanna Mattsson – in the qualification round, Sakshi eked out a narrow 5-5 win against Mariana Cherdivara Esanu of Republic of Moldova in the pre-quarters. In the opening period of the pre-quarterfinal bout, Sakshi got 30 seconds to earn points but she failed and that gave Cherdivara a point. Sakshi, though, still has a chance to end up on podium the as she has got the opportunity to compete in the repechage round. If she manages to win two more bouts, she can win a bronze in the 58kg category. In her first repechage bout, Sakshi will take on the winner of the clash between Tunisia's Amri Marwa and Turkey's Elif Jale Yesilirmak. Star Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar had also won his first Olympic medal, a bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games, through repechage round.