Rahul Aware, Babita Kumari and Kiran have opened India’s account in wrestling at Commonwealth Games 2018.
Aware won India’s first wrestling gold (57 kg) in this Games after beating Canada’s Steven Takahashi 15-7 in Gold Coast on Thursday.
Wrestler Babita Kumari settled for a silver medal in the 53 kg category after losing to Canada’s Diana Weicker. Babita, who claimed a silver in the 2010 edition before a gold in Glasgow, failed to break through her rival's defences, going down 2-5 in the contest. Her medal opened India's account in the wrestling competition of the Games.
Kiran bagged a bronze medal in the 76 kg category with a 10-0 win over Katouskia Pariadhaven of Mauritius.
Aware had to fight hard to win a gold in his category. The Indian scraped through the first round with 6-4 victory. In the second round, Aware got into the right positions quickly and earned many points by turning Takahashi’s body, finally winning the round 9-3.
I have been waiting for this medal for the last 10 years. I can’t describe how it feels to claim it. I missed out on 2010, even in 2014, the team was sent without trials. So, I am very happy that I could finally fulfill this dream. I dedicate this to my guru who passed away in 2012, I am happy that all the efforts I put in got the result I wanted.Rahul Aware
Diana Weicker and Babita Kumari played out a tough first round with the former winning it 1-0. In the next round, Babita tried her best to attack Weicker’s legs, but didn’t find much success. Finally, Weicker won the round 4-2, leaving her to win the bout 5-2.
I think my weakness today was my attack, I should have been more aggressive but I gave my 100 percent. I am satisfied with the intensity I put in but obviously I could not get the result I wanted. I regret that I came close to getting a gold but could not. I had a bit of a problem in my knees too but injuries are a part of wrestler’s career.Babita Kumari
Kiran raced off to a 10-0 lead in the first round against Mauritius’s Katouskia Pariadhaven and due to the lead, Kiran won the match by technical superiority. Kiran clinched the bronze via repechage.
Aware, appearing in his first CWG in the men's 57 kilogram category, did well to qualify for the summit clash in style.
He did face some trouble from a spirited Muhammed Bilal of Pakistan in the semi-finals before clinching a thrilling 12-8 victory.
Earlier, Aware started his campaign in comprehensive fashion, overpowering George Ramm of England and Australia's Thomas Cichhini by technical superiority.
In the round of 16, Aware powered his way to an 11-0 lead over the English wrestler early in the second round which prompted the judges to award him the bout. Aware took a 1-0 lead early in the opening period before a takedown earned him another two points towards the end of the round.
The Indian managed an ankle hold on his opponent right at the start of the second round. He then applied the 'fitley' move to roll Ramm over several times and rack up the winning points.
The Indian was even more impressive in the quarter-finals, outclassing Cichhini in the first round. He brought down the Australian and turned him over for a 4-0 lead in the first minute. He continued to dominate proceedings to notch up a one-sided victory.
Babita Kumari started her campaign by defeating Bose Samuel of Nigeria in her opening bout. Babita shook off a strong start by the Nigerian to clinch a 3-1 win.
Samuel had taken the early lead but Babita pulled off a two-point move to put her nose ahead. She earned another point with a take down to bolster her lead.
Babita was even more dominant in her next bout, defeating Sri Lanka's Deepika Dilhani by fall early in the first period. The Haryana wrestler was too good for Carissa Holland of Australia as well, clinching another victory by fall to enter the final.
Before Kiran fought for the bronze medal against Katouskia Pariadhaven in the repechage round, she lost in the semi-finals of the women's 76 kg competition.
Kiran was no match for Blessing Onyebuchi of Nigeria, conceding a 0-10 deficit in the first round itself to lose by technical superiority.
Kiran had started her campaign by defeating Danielle Sino Guemde of Cameroon by technical superiority.
She took a 4-1 lead in the first round before scoring seven consecutive points in the second to wrap up the victory.
(With inputs from PTI and IANS)
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