Sonam Malik stuns Sakshi Malik at the National Wrestling trials for Asian qualifiers, four others make cuts

Sonam Malik once again upset Sakshi Malik in the Women’s National Wrestling 62kg category trials in Lucknow on Tuesday. The win enabled Sonam to make her way to the Asian Olympic Qualifiers and Asian Championship to be held in Kazakhstan from April 9 to 18.

Besides Sonam Malik, Seema (50kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg) and Pooja Sihag (76kg) also booked their slots for the next month’s events. For the remaining four weight categories, the selection trials will be held on March 27.

All eyes were on the Sakshi Malik-Sonam Malik bout. 18-year-old Sonam once again put up a great fight against her much-fancied opponent, beating her 8-7 in a thriller.

It was also Sonam Malik’s fourth win against the Rio Olympic bronze medallist in as many fights.

How to stay focussed 101 with @SakshiMalik 💪😎Who is your favourite Indian wrestler? 🇮🇳🤼‍♀#Tokyo2020 #UnitedByEmotion pic.twitter.com/gkJY6NZtqZ

— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) November 5, 2020

The last instance of Sonam Malik defeating Sakshi Malik was at the Asian Championships selection trials last year.

Earlier, Sonam pulled out of the Matteo Pellicone Memorial meet in Rome after suffering a head injury that required four stitches.

Nisha Dahiya got better of Divya Kakran in 68kg category

Wrestling: Indian Women's team for upcoming Asian Olympic qualifiers (scheduled for 9th-12th Apr, 2021) has been decided based on National trials held today. 50kg: Seema57 kg: Anshu Malik62kg: Sonam Malik (defeated Sakshi Malik in trials)68kg: Nisha Dahiya76kg: Pooja Sihag https://t.co/lGOxVobrXM pic.twitter.com/kYTeBo4JSn

— India_AllSports (@India_AllSports) March 22, 2021

In other bouts, Nisha stunned Asian champion Divya Kakran, while Anshu also won in her category. Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Geeta Phogat gave the trials a miss. During the Men’s trials, which concluded earlier this month, nine wrestlers were selected for the Asian meets.

Sandeep Singh Mann (74kg), Satyawart Kadian (97kg), and Sumit (125kg) booked their places in the Freestyle event while Gurpreet Singh (77kg), Sunil Kumar (87kg), Gyanendra (60kg), Ashu (67kg), Ravi (97kg), and Naveen (130kg) will fight in Greco-Roman style.

Only four Indian wrestlers have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics till now. They are Vinesh Phogat (53kg), Bajrang Punia (65kg), Ravi Kumar Dahiya (57kg) asnd Deepak Punia (86kg).

Thank you Rome for the experience, the competition, and the chance to put in practice a few things I have been working on. Happy to finish with a 🥇Back to getting fitter, faster, and stronger in preparation for the one that matters..! 🇮🇳✊💪 pic.twitter.com/qZnaER1vLq

— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) March 8, 2021