New Delhi: Star Indian wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt has been on a rollercoaster ride of late.
After the disappointment of Rio 2016, his London 2012 was upgraded from bronze to silver after Besik Kudukhov of Russia tested positive for a banned substance.
This was the result of World Anti-doping Agency's (WADA’s) and the International Olympic Committee's (IOC’s) legacy testing programme.
On Friday there were new reports suggesting Dutt's medal may now witness another upgrade after gold medalist Toghrul Asgarov of Azerbaijan too failed a dope test.
While some Indian fans are already celebrating, it must be noted that Yogi isn't assured of a gold medal yet.
According to a report in the Times of India, United World Wrestling (UWW) rules state that if the 1st or 2nd ranked wrestler is disqualified for doping, the bronze medalist who lost by elimination from the repechage group of that particular finalist shall move up to second place.
Dutt had lost to Kudukhov in the quarter-final, while USA's Coleman Scott was beaten by Asgarov in the semis. Hence, the American should get gold as per the aforementioned rule.
However, there is a lack of clarity in the rules when it comes to both the silver and gold medalists failing dope tests, as is the case right now.
But one cannot entirely rule out the Haryana wrestler's chances.
"When you compare the two bouts, it is evident that Dutt has scored more technical points and hence ranks higher. When we rank wrestlers in a competition, technical points scored from the throws and holds are taken into consideration. Though the American wrestler lost to the eventual gold medallist, I feel that the UWW will take into consideration the technical points and then decide who gets gold,'' an international referee told the Hindustan Times.
Dutt defeated North Korea's Ri Jong-Myong via technical superiority in the final period of the bronze medal match. The Indian won 2-1 (0-1, 1-0, 6-0). Coleman edged out Kenichi Yumoto of Japan 2-1 (0-1, 3-0, 3-1).
Dutt was beaten by eventual silver medalist Kudokhov 0-2 (0-1, 0-2) while Coleman lost to gold medalist Asgarov by bigger margin 0-2 (0-1, 0-4).
Hence the numbers definitely give Dutt an advantage but wrestling authorities tend to decide winners by straightforward technical edge on the mate, the HT report further adds.
This is a tricky situation for the UWW and it would like to sort out with matter without any further controversy.
