Coach Dahiya Accuses Korean Wrestler of Hurting Nisha Intentionally: ‘There Was

Nisha Dahiya’s coach Virender Dahiya has accused Korean opponent Sol Gum Pak of hurting the Indian wrestler intentionally. Nisha had made a stupendous start to her campaign in the women’s 68kg class with a win over Ukraine but suffered a terrible hand injury against Gum Pak. Ultimately, she had to be taken to a medical facility inside the Games Village for the scan.

“It was 100 percent intentional, they hurt her intentionally. We had seen, that there was an instruction from the Korean corner. They attacked the joint. They have taken away the medal from her,” India’s national coach Virender Dahiya told PTI.

Dahiya further said Nisha had beaten the Korean wrestler in the Asian Qualifer and no way she had lost on Monday.

“The way Nisha had started, the medal was in her neck and it had been taken away. The attacks were clear, the counter-attack worked and the defence was compact. She had beaten the same wrestler at the Asian Qualifier, there was no way Nisha was losing this,” he added.

If the Korean makes the final, Nisha can bounce back in the medal contention but even if she gets the repechage, the extent of the injury would decide if she will be able to take the mat or not.

Vinesh in Pre-quarters

Star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was on Monday handed a tough draw in the Paris Olympics as she is set to open against reigning Olympic champion and four-time World Champion Yui Susaki, who is yet to lose a match in her international career.

It will be a Herculean task for Vinesh to clear the first round given that she is up against the Japanese, who won the gold at Tokyo Games without conceding a single point.

However, it could be a blessing in disguise also, since Susaki will be the favourite to reach the final and it can open up the repechage route for Vinesh, who dropped down to women’s 50kg category from 53kg weight class. Vinesh is appearing in her third Olympics.

(With PTI Inputs)

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