India's Sujit Mann lost his first elimination round pool A bout 0-8 to Kunihiko Obata of Japan in the 74 kg freestyle category of the men's wrestling competition at the Olympic Games in Athens on Saturday.
Mann, ranked eighth in the world, was dominated by Obata all through the bout after the Japanese began scoring just a minute after the fight started.
The 24-year-old Obata opened his point tally 1.11 minute into the bout and increased the lead by scoring twice in the third minute of the first session at the Ano Liossia Olympic Hall.
In the third minute, Obata successfully attempted to turn down Mann on mat and scored two points for the exposure. Obata led 0-4 at the break.
Mann looked totally lackluster against the Japanese grappler, who was placed third behind him in the Asian Championships early this year.
Despite trying hard, Mann failed to prevent Obata from widening the gulf and the Indian conceded four more points in the fifth and the sixth minutes.
In a bid to pin down Mann, the Japanese once again held the Indian down on the mat and scored two points. Obata, who appeared well prepared for the grand event, eventually won the bout 0-8.
Mann will now take on Ivan Fundora of Cuba in his next bout later on Saturday.
