Grappler Sakshi moves within striking distance of medal

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 18 (IANS) Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik defeated Orkhon Purevdorj of Mongolia in the Repechage Round 2 of the Women's Freestyle 58kg category to move within one win from a medal.

The 23-year-old from Rohtak now needs just one victory to secure a bronze medal.

The Haryana wrestler was too superior for the 22-year-old Mongolian and dominated right from the start.

Sakshi grabbed the early advantage and effected a takedown to take a 2-0 lead.

But a loss of balance from Sakshi allowed the Mongolian to take two points and make a comeback. Sakhshi did catch Orkhon off-guard with an arm-lock towards the end of the first round, but could not capitalise on that.

Sakshi grabbed the initiative right at the strt of the second round, baging two points with double leg hold.

But Sakshi's efforts to preserve her lead by decreasing the pace cost her dearly as the referee invoked the passivity rule against her which allowed Orkhon to bag another point.

Orkhon then tried to go for a leg hold but Sakshi came up with an effective counter-attack to bring the Mongolian down before rolling her over to bolster her lead.

With a comfortable 10-7 lead behind her, Sakshi produced a strong finish by coming up with another take down in the closing seconds.