Sonam downs Sakshi again, makes cut for Olympic qualifiers

Asked to re-appear in trials after not-so-strong performances at the Rome Ranking series event and the recently-concluded Asian Championships, the 18-year-old Sonam tore apart the challenge of established seniors in the 62kg competition.

She first got past Radhika. Caring little for reputation, Sonam then beat the Asian Championship 59kg gold medallist Sarita Mor (3-1) in the semi-finals before winning by fall against Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi in the summit clash.

She pinned Sakshi in the second period when she was trailing 1-2. Nine wrestlers appeared in the 62kg trials, including 2018 World Championship bronze medallist Pooja Dhanda and a few from upper weight categories. “There was no nervousness before the bouts. I was determined to compete hard. I have fought against them before and I knew I had to battle it out. So I was prepared,” said Sonam.

Sonam said she needs to hone her style before the Bishkek Qualifiers. “I will try my best. I need to work on my leg defence and ground attack.” Sonam also said that she will seek guidance from her seniors, including Sakshi and Sarita, before leaving for Olympic qualifiers.

“They are very experienced. They can definitely guide me. I am willing to take a few tips from them,” she said. The reigning world cadet champion trains at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Sports Institute at Madina (Sonepat) under coach Ajmer Malik. Sonam had created ripples by beating Sakshi in the trials conducted at the beginning of the season when the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) picked teams for the Rome Ranking Series event and the Asian Championships.

Sonam failed to win a medal in both the events but impressed during her fifth-place finish in at the Asiads in New Delhi. WFI had made it clear that if performance of the wrestlers were not satisfactory, it would conduct trials again and announced trials in 62kg and 76kg for women and 60kg for Greco Roman style.

Meanwhile, Kiran won the trial in 76kg. The Asian Olympic Qualifiers will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from March 27-29. The finalists will qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.