Kishalaya

Sushil Kumar today created history by winning the second medal for India. Sushil Kumar won the bronze medal for India in 66kg freestyle wrestiling.

It came as a huge surprise for me when I heard that Sushil Kumar has won the bronze medal, not because he is not capable, but in the morning I had heard that he had lost he match in the first round only to Andriy STADNIK (UKR).

Repechage Round Rule : There is a rule in wrestling known as Repechage round, in which the wrestlers who lost to the Finalists need to play among themselves in 2 rounds and the winner plays with the losing semi-finalists to decide the bronze medal.

Since Andriy STADNIK (UKR) won all his rounds and semifinal and entered finals. Sushil Kumar became eligible for the Repechage round and in that he won 2 rounds and then went on to defeat Leonid SPIRIDONOV (KAZ) to win the bronze medal.

Following are the matches that Sushil Kumar played en route to the bronze medal on Beijing Olympics in 66KG freestyle category.

Match 1 : Quarter Final round
Sushil KUMAR (IND) - Andriy STADNIK (UKR)
Result : Sushil Kumar lost by 1-8

Match 2 : Repechage Round 1
Doug SCHWAB (USA) - Sushil KUMAR (IND)
Result : Sushil Kumar won 4-7

Match 3 : Repechage Round 2
Sushil KUMAR (IND) - Albert BATYROV (BLR)
Result : Sushil Kumar won 8-4

Match 4 : Bronze medal match
Sushil KUMAR (IND) -  Leonid SPIRIDONOV  (KAZ)
Result : Sushil Kumar won 3-2

Great work champ. You have done India proud.