Judoka Avtar Singh eliminated by Popole

The 24-year-old from Punjab, who had clinched a gold at the South Asian Games in Guwahati early this year, failed to match up to Refugee Olympic Team's Misenga Popole

Avtar Singh of India (right) and Popole Misenga of Refugee Olympic Team reacts after their clash on Wednesday.

Indian judoka Avtar Singh crashed out of the Rio Olympics after losing to Refugee Olympic Team’s Misenga Popole in the second round of the Men’s 90 kg elimination, here today.

The 24-year-old from Punjab, who had clinched a gold at the South Asian Games in Guwahati early this year, failed to match up to Popole, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Popole gathered a point through Yoko, which is awarded for a throw that is ‘partially lacking’ in two of the three elements of an ippon — putting the opponent on his back, speed of throw, force of throw.

Avtar, on the other hand, was penalised twice for non-combativity, where a player does not attack enough, intentionally stepping out of bounds, play too defensively or put a hand directly on the opponent’s face.