Indian wrestlers continued their impressive show at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday.
While Ravi Dahiya, Naveen Sihag and Vinesh Phogat won gold medals in their respective categories, Pooja Gehlot, Deepak Nehra and Pooja Sihag bagged bronze medals.
Putting aside the mental and physical struggles that pegged her back, an intimidating Vinesh pounced on her rivals to complete a hat-trick of CWG gold medals.
Vinesh became the first Indian woman wrestler to win three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals.
In the 53kg final, Vinesh beat Sri Lanka’s Chamodya Keshani Maduravlage Don, winning by ‘fall’ to clinch the gold.
In her opening bout, against World Championships bronze medallist Samantha Leigh Stewart, Vinesh won in mere 36 seconds. She had the Canadian in a headlock from where she pushed her on the mat and in no time pinned her rival.
The 27-year-old Vinesh next overpowered Nigeria’s Mercy Bolafunoluwa Adekuoroye 6-0.
Tokyo Games silver medallist Ravi was also too good for the 57kg field. He won both his bouts — against Suraj Singh of New Zealand and Pakistan’s Asad Ali — by technical superiority en route the final.
In the final, Nigeria’s Ebikewenimo Welson showed the intent to fight but the level at which Ravi wrestled, it was a tough task.
Naveen (74kg), who began with TSU wins over Nigeria’s Ogbonna Emmanuel John, Singapore’s Hong Yeow Lou and England’s Charlie James Bowling, dominated the final against Pakistan’s Muhammad Sharif Tahir, winning the bout 9-0.
In the women’s competition, Pooja Sihag (76kg) defeated Australia’s Naomi de Bruine 10-0 on technical superiority to take the bronze.
In women’s 50kg, Pooja Gehlot defeated Christine Lemofack Letchidjio of Scotland12-2 to win the bronze medal. Gehlot had defeated the same opponent by the same margin in her opening match of the day.
In men’s 97kg, Deepakoutsmarted Pakistan’s TayabRaza to get the bronze. Deepakopened the scoring with a well-executed fireman’s throw, which earned him a couple of points. The Pakistani reduced the deficit to 3-2 just before the break. But Deepak won it 10-2in the end.
