Sandeep Tomar bows out losing World Champion Lebedev

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 19 (PTI) Talented Indian grapplerSandeep Tomar lost to two-time World Champion Victor Lebedevof Russia 3-7 in the 57 kg category to get ousted from themen’s freestyle wrestling at the Rio Olympics today. Tomar officially bowed when Lebedev was beaten 1-6 in hisnext encounter against Sabzali Hassan Rahimi of Iran. Sandeep first conceded a penalty point for his passivityand the Russian World Champion defended well as the Indian didnot succeed in his attempt to get an ankle hold. In the process, Lebedev got a couple of technical points,getting better of the Asian Championship gold medallist. The first three-minute period saw the Russian leading3-0. Tomar was more purposeful in the second period as hepushed Lebedev out to get a point and then finally got asingle ankle hold right to reduce the margin to 3-5. However with little time left, Tomar had to go for thejugular but in the process had his defence open which enabledthe Russian to clinch the bout with a two-point manoeuvre totake an unassailable 7-3 lead. The only wrestler left in the fray in London Olympicsbronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt. PTI KHS SSRKHS