Tokyo 2021: International travel restrictions put several Indians Olympics dream on hold
DPA/Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire
The worsening second wave of Covid-19 cases in India has prompted a host of countries to lock their borders to travellers from the country. The impact, with the Olympics now barely three months away, falls squarely on Indian athletes scrambling for a final shot at qualification berths. Over the past few days, more countries have added India to their red list, causing flights to be suspended and tournament plans to be scrapped. We look at some sports where qualification events are still pending and the possible impact of extended travel restrictions.
Olympic-bound wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Anshu Malik have made India proud. The champions have won their maiden Asian Championship titles on Friday. The 26-year-old Vinesh grappler from Haryana came close to winning the title thrice but could only manage to finish second.
By the way, Phogat has always lost summit in clash with Japanese or Chinese wrestlers. But there was no chance to loose this time in the absence of the Chinese and Japanese rivals. In the meanwhile, teenage sensation Anshu Malik won her maiden Asian Championships gold medal. The 19-year old Anshu stand out with her progressive performance in the senior circuit in 57kg. She won final 3-0 with her confidence and was never really troubled by Mongolia s Battsetseg Altantsetseg, except for a double-leg attack. The teenage camp keeping her lead intact for gold. Earlier in the day, Vinesh won a bronze in the Delhi edition of the Continental championship last year.
On Friday, In the Asian Wrestling Championships in Almaty Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat clinched gold medal. Let us share that it was her seventh podium finish at the Asian Championships as the Tokyo-bound star showcased her class. Alon with that another achievement is of teenage sensation Anshu Malik, who had won her Olympic quota a few days back at the event, won her maiden Asian Championships gold medal. There was no stopping Vinesh in the absence of the Chinese and Japanese rivals as she cruised to the title without losing a point in the 53kg category.
For your information let us share that Vinesh has notched up seven podium finishes at the Asian meet over the years, including three silver medals before this edition. Divya Kakran (72kg) while Sakshi Malik (65kg) settled for a silver medal, a performance which should boost her confidence after enduring a long wretched run. India has a rich haul of seven medals from the women s event as the country won four gold, a silver and two
ALMATY, Apr 16:
Dominating the proceedings in a depleted field, Olympic-bound wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Anshu Malik won their maiden Asian Championship titles after comfortable triumphs in their respective summit clashes here today.
There was no stopping Vinesh in the absence of the Chinese and Japanese rivals as she cruised to the title without losing a point in the 53kg category.
Vinesh has notched up seven podium finishes at the Asian meet over the years, including three silver medals before this edition.
Also standing on top of the podium was Divya Kakran (72kg) while Sakshi Malik (65kg) settled for a silver medal, a performance which should boost her confidence after enduring a long wretched run.