Bajrang Punia vs Haji Aliyev men's 65kg wrestling semifinals Olympics LIVE: Scores, updates & commentary

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A bitter loss for Bajrang Punia. He came to Tokyo to get that gold medal for India but it won't be happening. He can now hope to refresh himself before tomorrow's important bout that will allow him to challenge for a bronze medal.

The action from the Tokyo Olympics continues. We still have plenty to fight for with Aditi Ashok and Neeraj Chopra still in the hunt for a medal. You can catch all the updates on Sportskeeda.

Bajrang Punia now goes to the repechage round.

He will face either Senegal's Diatta or Kazakhstan's Niyazbekov in the bronze medal match.

Here is the scoresheet from the bout

A display of dominance by Haji Aliyev. He knocks out yet another seeded opponent. He was clearly the better wrestler in the bout, took the charge and made brilliant attacking moves. Bajrang Punia tried his best to make a comeback and was within 4 points but he will have to admit that Aliyev got the better of him.

The Olympic gold medal continues to elude Indian wrestling.

Punia is out of contention for a gold medal. He will now compete in the bronze medal match.

BAJRANG PUNIA LOSES 12-5.

India loses the challenge.

We wait for the result of the challenge.

A challenge by the Indian coach.

Aliyev is now 11-5 up.

Another 2 points for Aliyev. He gets them from a double leg hold.

Now or never for Punia

30 seconds to go!

Punia gets a take down and wins two points. The score is 9-5!

Another point for Aliyev for pushing Punia out of bounds. 9-3!

Punia gets around his opponent and gets two points. He cuts the lead to 5 points. 8-3!

Punia escapes yet another double leg hold.

Just two minutes for Punia to turn around the match

He turns around his opponent and gains another two points. Aliyev leads 8-1!

Aliyev gets a feet lay

Another single leg hold for Aliyev

The second round starts.

Aliyev is 4-1 ahead with some good attacking moves.

End of round one.

Another take down by Aliyev. Punia now trails 4-1!

Bajrang gets a point but Aliyev responds with a leg attack and completes a takedown. Aliyev is 2-1 up!

Aliyev goes for a move but Bajrang is able to defend the leg attack.

A passivity warning for Haji Aliyev,

A minute is up. No breakthrough for either wrestler.

Intense grappling between the two.

The scores are level after 30 seconds. 0-0!

And the bout begins...

Bajrang Punia is out in the arena. He will be in the blue corner for this bout.

The wrestlers are about to make their way to the mat.

Up next - Punia vs Aliyev.

We have our first finalist. Japan's Otoguro has defeated the first seed Rashidov by a score of 3-2.

Bajrang Punia's semifinal bout will begin once the first semifinal ends.

At the end of first round, Japan's Otoguro is leading 2-0 over the current world champion Rashidov.

The first semifinal between first seed Rashidov and Japan's Otoguro is about to begin.

Not long before we see Bajrang Punia in action.

India has produced world class wrestlers over the recent past. Read up the article given below to know how the wrestling centres in rural India play a role in producing wrestlers like Punia who shine at the highest level.

How training centers in rural India helped breed champions like Bajrang Punia

Punia and Aliyev have faced each other only once before. On that occasion, Punia got the better of the Azerbaijan wrestler with a score of 8-6.

If he wins this semi-final bout, Punia will be assured of a silver. In case he loses, he will compete in the bronze medal match. Both these games have been scheduled for tomorrow.

Having confirmed his place in the semi-finals of the competition, Bajrang Punia is just one win away from securing a medal for India.

Bajrang Punia has won 2 rounds in the 65kg competition so far. These are the results of his bouts:

1/8 Finals - defeated Ernazar Akmataliev 3-3, won by scoring a higher-point move.

1/4 Finals - defeated Morteza Ghiasi Cheka 2-1, secured a victory by fall.

A Reminder: Bajrang Punia's semifinal bout will begin at 2:55PM IST.

Bajrang Punia vs Haji Aliyev men's 65kg wrestling semifinals Olympics LIVE: Scores, updates & commentary

Catch LIVE scores from Bajrang Punia vs Haki Aliyev 65kg men's wrestling semifinals at Olympics 2021