Wrestlers Vinesh, Sakshi grab Rio 2016 berths

Reigning Commonwealth Games champion Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik booked Rio 2016 berths in their respective categories at the second Olympic World qualifying tournament here on Saturday.

Vinesh made amends for her disqualification from the first World Olympic qualifier to book the Rio berth in women's 48kg.

Vinesh, who was disqualified from the World Olympic Qualifying event for being overweight by 400 gms, also became the first woman to qualify for the Olympics, scheduled from August 5-21 in Rio de Janeiro.

Vinesh ensured herself the Rio berth and a silver after winning the semi-final bout against Evin Demirhan from Turkey at the second Olympic qualifier. She will take on Poland's Iowna Nina Matkowska for the gold medal.

Sakshi, who became the second Indian woman to qualify, defeated China's Lan Zhang in the semi-final to set up a summit clash against Russian Valeria Koblova in the 58kg category.

With Vinesh and Sakshi's qualification, the total number of Indians to qualify has risen to six -- four men and two women -- eclipsing the previous tally of five for the London Olympics in 2012.

--IANS

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