Tokyo Olympics 2020: Wrestler Sonam Malik Loses First Round defeat in freestyle 62kg

The Indian’s inexperience cost her the bout she was leading for most parts as she lost out on criteria with the scores tied at 2-2. Young Indian wrestler Sonam Malik lost her opening bout on criteria to Mongolia’s Bolortuya Khurelkhuu in the women’s 62kg category in Tokyo on Tuesday and bowed out of contention after Khurelkhuu failed to reach the final.

Sonam managed to score one technical point each in the first and second periods and this gave her good momentum in the match. However, Khurelkhuu immediately gets right back into the game as she registered two technical points in the second period, bringing the scoreline level to 2-2. Bolortuya was adjudged as the winner on the basis of separation criteria.

Bolortuya was declared the winner for grabbing her points with a touchdown and therefore, won the bout despite the match finishing level on points. Sonam Malik is still not out of the Tokyo Games yet and will get a chance to compete in the repechage round if Bolortuya reaches the final in this weight category. Sonam’s determination and passion are laudable as the youngster commenced her career by winning gold in the National School Games in 2016.

As Sonam participated in events, the Indian wrestler made her international mark by winning bronze in the Cadet Asian Wrestling Championship and the Cadet World Wrestling Championship in 2018. The following year Sonam won the gold medal in the Cadet World Wrestling Championship.