Wrestler Sakshi takes 4th spot in world rankings

Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik has entered the top five in the latest world rankings, rising to a career best fourth spot in the women's 58 kilogram category.

Sakshi, who was unranked previously, has entered the top five due to her performance at the recently concluded Rio Olympics where she became the first Indian female wrestler to bag an Olympic medal.

Vinesh Phogat, who crashed out in the quarter-finals of the women's 48kg category at the Rio Olympics after sustaining a knee injury, climbed up a couple of rungs to the 11th position.

Among the men, Sandeep Tomar is currently at the 15th spot in the men's 57kg freestyle category. 1. Vladimir Khinchegashvili of Georgia retained his top spot in the category while Japan's Rei Higuchi rose to the second spot from his previous 10th position. Haji Aliev of Azerbaijan was ranked third.

Bajrang Punia was the only other Indian male freestyle wrestler in the top 20 as he was ranked 18th in the 61kg freestyle division.

Daulet Niyazbekov of Kazakhstan was at the top spot in the category, while the Russian duo of Aleksander Bogomoev and Imam Adzhiev were second and third respectively.

--IANS

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