Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik won her women's 58 kg freestyle repechage round 2 bout against Orkhon Purevdorj of Mongolia 12-3 early on Thursday IST. Malik now has to win one more bout, against Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan, to secure a historic bronze medal. No Indian woman wrestler has ever won an Olympic medal so far.
Malik won the first two points with a take-down within the opening 20 seconds of the bout. Purevdorj got two back after Malik lost her balance, as the first period ended with the score level 2-2.
Malik began the second period with another take-down, getting two points, but failed to capitalise on the hold. She then conceded a point for passivity after a prolonged period of defensive play, but then scored two more points with another take-down. Malik got four more points in quick succession towards the end after a take-down and a roll, eventually winning the bout 12-3.
Malik and Purevdorj were both beaten by Russia's Valeria Koblova on Wednesday. The Russian went on to reach the final, thereby giving the Indian and the Mongolian a chance of clinching a medal by winning the repechage round and the bronze playoff.
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