Wrestler Seema Bisla qualifies for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

The 29-year-old became the eighth Indian grappler to secure a berth at the Tokyo Games .

Seema Bisla becomes the eighth Indian wrestler to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 after confirming her spot in the final of the World Olympic Qualifiers in Sofia, Bulgaria.

She will take on Ecuador’s Lucia Yepez in the final of the 50kg weight category. Bisla’s qualification ensures India match their tally of eight wrestlers battling it out in Tokyo, the same number that had qualified for Rio 2016.

The Asian Wrestling Championships 2021 bronze medalist was solid in her defence against Belarus' Anastasiya Yanotava in her first match. She logged four points in each of the periods to win 8-0.

The Indian was more dominant against Sweden's Emma Jonna Denise Malmgren in the quarter-final, pinning her with 43 seconds to spare to win the bout. She took a lead of 10-2 when she found a way to pin her rival.

In the decisive semi-final clash, Seema Bisla was up against yet another European opponent in the form of Poland’s Anna Lukasiak. Thereafter, she continued her impressive run in the semi-finals. She won by a margin of 2-1 to confirm her ticket for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

Nisha and Pooja fail to make the cut

Earlier in the day, Nisha Dahiya (68kg) lost out comprehensively against the immensely powerful Mimi Hristova in the quarters. This is because she lost the bout by technical superiority. The Bulgarian pulled off a breathtaking four-point throw after which Dahiya could not find a way past her rival's defence. She had won her opening bout by fall against Poland's Natalia Iwona Strzalka.

On the other hand, Pooja Dihag, the third Indian woman in the competition, was unable to overcome her first hurdle. This is because she lost narrowly (3-4 )loss to Lithuania's Kamile Gaucaite in the 76kg weight category matchup.

Meanwhile, Sumit Malik had clinched a spot in the Tokyo Olympics yesterday after qualifying for the 125kg final. However, he conceded defeat against 2018 Youth Olympic champion Sergei Kozyrev of Russia owing to an injury.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.