Team GB’s Olga Butkevych bowed out of London 2012 after she lost to Lissette Alexandra Antes Castillo in the first round of the women’s -55kg freestyle wrestling.
The Ukrainian born Butkevych was looking to deliver Britain’s first ever women’s wrestling gold, but she went down 1-1 2-0 1-2 to her Ecuadorian opponent at the ExCeL.
The 26-year-old was expected to make it through to the quarter-finals, but she was outclassed by the 21-year-old despite strong support from the home crowd at the London arena.
Butkevych made a good start, getting behind her opponent to move 1-0 ahead, but she was caught off guard at the end of the period and allowed the Ecuadorian to win a decisive second point after getting behind the Brit.
Butkevych fought back in the second period, getting behind Antes Castillo twice, but the Ecuadorian threw her to move 1-0 up in the third.
The Salford-based wrestler pulled a point back, which meant she was on course for victory, but she was thrown out with four seconds to go to seal a heartbreaking loss for the Brit.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” a tearful Butkevych said afterwards. “It’s my big competition, once every four years. I’ve been competing every year for the past four years.
“But this year, the big year, I lost. I didn’t feel pressure from the crowd, but I was proud to be there for them.
“There were so many people here to support me and I’m proud but sorry.”
Butkevych was the only member of Team GB in the wrestling tournament with Britain not entering an athlete in the men’s competition.
Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
