Tokyo: Indian taekwondo player Aruna Singh Tanwar has withdrawn from the repechage round in the K44-49kg class due to an injury sustained during her opening round quarterfinal bout at the Tokyo Olympics. She fought the quarterfinal with the injury.
Tanwar was rushed to a Tokyo hospital for further examination and diagnostics, and a hairline fracture is anticipated. Paralympic Committee of India chief Deepa Malik expressed her dissatisfaction on Twitter.
“Sorry to inform that our Tigress has got injured in her bout. Suspected hairline fracture. She won her first match with a great margin but we could notice the energy missing in second one. Swelling has increased and needs medical attention,” Malik said.
The Indian delegation’s explanation for Aruna’s withdrawal from the repechage round was a ‘probable fracture of left forearm and possible fracture of right foot’. In addition, the withdrawal form said, ‘severe pain and dysfunction due to the above injuries’ as the reason behind her decision not to contest any further in the competition.
Tanwar was set to compete in the repechage round after losing in the quarterfinals against fourth-seeded Espinoza Carranza of Peru. All losing quarterfinalists from the main draw advance to the repechage, where they must win three bouts to win bronze.
Tanwar battled through her injuries in the quarterfinals, but she was no match for her Peruvian opponent, losing 21-84. Espinoza didn’t let the Indian get comfortable, fully dominating the match by winning all three rounds (26-2, 30-10, and 28-9).
