On Day 8 of the Commonwealth Games, Indian wrestlers outclassed, outwrestled, and outpowered their opponents, with Anshu Malik taking silver and Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Deepak Punia taking gold.
Bajrang Punia won his second gold medal at the event after defeating Lachlan McNeil of Canada in the men’s freestyle 65 kg final.
Anshu Malik, competing in her maiden CWG event, lost the final against Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye of Nigeria in the women’s freestyle 57 kg category.
Sakshi Malik was up next, facing Canada’s Godinez Gonzalez. She was four points behind, but she adopted an aggressive approach, pinned her Canadian opponent on the mat, won by fall, and claimed India’s second gold medal.
Deepak Punia came in last, against Pakistan’s Inam, and beat him 3-0 to claim another gold medal for India. Divya Kakran also won Bronze at the conclusion of the event, defeating Tonga’s Cocker Lemalie by pinfall.
The Road to the Finals:
Everyone could notice Bajrang’s supremacy as he did not concede a single point on his way to the final. The 28-year-old reigning champion defeated Naurau’s Lowe Bingham and Mauritius’ Jean Guyliane Joris Bandou ‘by fall’ before defeating England’s Geroge Ramm via technical superiority.
Bajrang has struggled to play freely since last year, and his over-defensive tactics have cast doubt on his ability to continue his supremacy in the international arena, but he made his plays without hesitation on Friday.
Anshu Malik, who has made fast progress in her career, dominated the women’s 57kg final as well. The 20-year-old defeated Australia’s Irene Symeonidis and Sri Lanka’s Nethmi Ahinsa Fernando Poruthotage via technical superiority.
It didn’t take Anshu long to assess her opponents. Her typical aggressiveness and quality were too much for her opponents to handle. Sakshi Malik, who has been fighting for relevance for a long time, saw it as a good opportunity to regain her confidence, which she utilized to perfection in the 62kg bout.
She started by pinning home team wrestler Kelsey Barnes, then won by technical superiority against Cameroon’s Berthe Emilienne. In her CWG collection, she has bronze and silver. Deepak Punia (86kg) made the gold medal round as well, despite not looking his dominant and speedy self, winning his fights without conceding a point to his opponents.
The wrestler from Chhara village began with a technical victory over New Zealand’s Matthew Clay Oxenham and then defeated Canada’s Alexander Moore 3-1 to get to the gold medal match against Pakistan’s Muhammad Inam. Overall, it was a fantastic day for the Indian wrestlers, one that screamed utter supremacy.
Stay connected with us on social media platforms for instant updates click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
