Rio Olympics 2016: Sandeep Tomar bows out of wrestling event after loss to Victor Lebedev

Rio de Janeiro: Talented Indian grappler Sandeep Tomar lost to two-time World Champion Victor Lebedev of Russia 3-7 in the 57 kg category to exit the men’s freestyle wrestling at the Rio Olympics on Friday. [caption id=“attachment_2966440” align=“alignleft” width=“381”] Sandeep Tomar in action against Victor Lebedev. AFP[/caption] Tomar officially bowed when Lebedev was beaten 1-6 in his next encounter against Sabzali Hassan Rahimi of Iran. Sandeep first conceded a penalty point for his passivity and the Russian World Champion defended well as the Indian did not succeed in his attempt to get an ankle hold. In the process, Lebedev got a couple of technical points, getting the better of the Asian Championship gold medallist. The first three-minute period saw the Russian leading 3-0. Tomar was more purposeful in the second period as he pushed Lebedev out to get a point and then finally got a single ankle hold right to reduce the margin to 3-5. However with little time left, Tomar had to go for the jugular but in the process had his defence open which enabled the Russian to clinch the bout with a two-point manoeuvre to take an unassailable 7-3 lead. The only wrestler left in the fray in London Olympics bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt.