Getting on the mat a day after teammate Sakshi Malik had provided India with their first medal in the Games, a bronze in the 58 kg class, much was expected of Babita, victor of two medals in past Commonwealth Games and bronze medalist in the World Championship in 2012.
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In both three-minute periods, Babita got a leg hold on her rival but Prevolaraki somehow managed to extricate herself and turn the tables on the Indian grappler.
Babita struggled to find her feet in the first period after being pushed out of the safety zone and then the Greek wrestler took another two points to extend the lead further to 3-0. With just two minutes left on the clock, Babita went for a double-leg hold, but her 24-year-old opponent was able to reverse the manoeuvre and pick up two more points.
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Aug.18: Indian wrestler Babita Kumari failed to continue her country’s euphoria on the mat, as she suffered a crushing 1-5 defeat at the hands of Greece’s Maria Prevolaraki in the pre-quarter-finals of the women’s 53kg freestyle wrestling competition here at the Rio Olympics on Thursday.
Prevolaraki, who also picked up a silver at the European championships in 2014, was penalised for passivity early in the second period, which brought Babita her first point in the bout. However, Prevolaraki got two more points soon after Kumari paid for being too aggressive.
Prevolaraki won the bout 5-1 and is through to the quarter-finals.
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For getting a repechage round, Maria will have to reach the final of the category, failing which Babita will be knocked out of the competition.
