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  Part- 349:

  "e on, Sourov!" Nabi yelled from the bench, her voice filled with urgency. "You’ve got this!"

  Sourov’s knuckles whitened as he g to Jiko’s uniform, trying to find an opening. But Jiko was like a coiled spring—his body fluid and banced, every muscle primed for a.

  Then, without warning, Jiko made his move. He feinted left, f Sourov to shift his band in that split sed, Jiko swept his leg forward, aiming to knock Sourov off his feet.

  Sourov twisted desperately, pivoting on his good leg to avoid the sweep. The audience gasped as he narrowly avoided falling. But the movement cost him. A sharp pain shot through his knee, and his face twisted in agony.

  Jiko saw the opening and lunged. His arms ed tightly around Sourov’s torso, lifting him off the ground in one smooth motion. For a heart-stopping moment, it seemed like Sourov was done for.

  "Hold on!" Ryan shouted, standing halfway out of his seat.

  Sourov's body twisted in mid-air, his instincts kig in. Just as Jiko prepared to sm him down, Sourov mao hook his arm around Jiko’s ned shift his weight sideways. With a grunt, he wrenched himself free, both fighters stumbling back to their feet.

  The crowd erupted in cheers, but James could see the strain on Sourov’s face. His breathing was heavy, and every movement looked bored. **He’s burning through too muergy too fast,** James thought, g his fists. **He ’t keep this pace up.**

  James muttered loud enough for those nearby to hear, "Wait, is something wrong with his body? I think he has an injury."

  Dipa immediately nodded in agreement. "I was thinking the same thing. It seems like he’s hurt somewhere."

  O, Jiko’s smirk widened. "You’re tougher than I thought, Sourov," he said, cirg slowly. "But toughness only gets you so far."

  Sourov wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze locked on Jiko. "I’m not do," he muttered through ched teeth.

  Jiko chuckled, as if amused. "We’ll see."

  They cshed again, grappling fiercely. Jiko's superior strength became more apparent with every passing sed. His throws were sharp and precise, and each time Sourov mao bloe, it felt like a small miracle.

  But miracles wouldn’t be enough.

  "Sourov, you have to serve your strength!" James muttered under his breath, though he knew Sourov couldn’t hear him.

  Jiko tried ahrow, twisting sharply to off-bance Sourov. This time, Sourov anticipated the move. He shifted his grip and tered with a sweepihrow of his own—**Harai Goshi**. Jiko stumbled, his body tilting dangerously close to the mat.

  The crowd roared iement as Sourov pressed his advarying to plete the throw. For a brief moment, it looked like Jiko would hit the ground. But at the st sed, Jiko twisted his body like a cat, nding gracefully on his feet.

  Ryan spped his forehead in frustration. "Seriously? That guy is unreal."

  Sourov stepped back, panting heavily. His injured krembled uhe strain, and he knew he was running out of time. **I have to end this soon,** he thought desperately.

  But Jiko was far from finished. With a predatrin, he lunged again, this time aiming low. Sourov barely had time to react as Jiko’s arms locked around his waist, pulling him into a crushing bear hug.