Geeta Phogat stood out in an otherwise average performance by the Indian team, which finished fifth in the senior women’s wrestling World Cup in Mongolia.
Geeta, who took part in the 59kg category for the first time, won all her bouts against her opponents from Japan, Canada, Mongolia and Belarus. India had qualified for this eight-team event, which was held in from March 1 to 3, for the first time.
The Indian team lost its opening Group ‘B’ clash against Japan 5-2, followed by another defeat by an identical margin to host Mongolia. In its final engagement, India beat Canada 4-3 to finish third from in its pool. In the fifth-sixth place classification match, India defeated Belarus 5-2 for the fifth position.
China won the gold while Mongolia and Japan settled for silver and bronze respectively.
