Sushil Kumar suffers embarrassing defeat in comeback bout

Leading Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar’s anticipated return to the mat after a one year gap was embarrassed with a crushing defeat as he was swept aside by current world number five Bekzod Abdurakhmonov in the 74kg quarter-finals at the Medved Tournament being held in Minsk, Belarus.

The Uzbek wrestler, who is the reigning Asian Games champion, took hold of Sushil’s right leg and earned four points as he pushed the Indian out of the mat to add two more points. Another leg attack by the reigning WC bronze medallist saw him end the Sushil's outing in Uzbekistan in just 90 seconds.

This was the Olympic silver medalist's first tournament after a failed campaign at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, where he suffered a first-round exit. The two-time Olympic medallist is also slated to participate in the World Championship trials upon his return to India.

Meanwhile, the Injured Praveen Kumar and Jitender will challenge Sushil in the 74kg trials, as the WFI have moved to delay the trials in this category.