Vinesh, Sumit triumph as Sakshi gets bronze
GOLD COAST: The focus was on Vinesh Phogat as the Indian grapplers took to the mat on the final day of the Commonwealth Games wrestling competition. The talented young girl from Haryana had missed out on a medal in the Rio Olympics after a serious injury. But Saturday was different.
Though Vinesh had recovered from the knee injury, she did suffer from another niggle that put her participation in Gold Coast in doubt. Vinesh was hit in her stomach during sparring session at a camp before leaving for the 2018 CWG and there were fears that her latest injury would hamper the performance.
The niggle, however, did not affect Vinesh much as she emerged winner in the women’s 50kg with a series of easy wins.
“I am very happy to have won the gold medal. It gave me lot of confidence as I have been bothered by small injuries in recent times,” said Vinesh.
When asked whether the gold here would lessen the pain of missing a medal in Rio Olympics, Vinesh said: “An Olympics medal in the ultimate prize, you can’t compare it with anything else. Victory here does not end the disappointment of missing the medal in Rio,” she said.
‘TANDOORI CHICKEN’
Sumit Malik bagged the gold medal in men’s 125kg class as his opponent Sinivie Boltic gave a walkover because of an injury.
Sumit found himself in a small controversy after his secondround rival — Korey Jarvis of Canada — accused him of biting his hand during the bout.
The Indian made no attempt to deny it, cheekily passing judgement on how his rival tasted.
“It occurred in the heat of the moment,” said Sumit. “I am sincerely sorry that it happened — but, no, he did not taste like tandoori chicken.”
Somveer, in men’s 86kg, and Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik, in women’s 62kg, bagged a bronze apiece as India ended with five gold, three silver and four bronze medals for a total haul of 14 medals in
all. There was some disappointment for India as Sakshi lost her first two bouts in the round-robin (nordic) format and had to fight for bronze medal. The Rio Games bronze medallist finally bagged bronze thanks to her late surge.
“I am disappointed, I should have won a gold medal and I have to settle for a bronze. It will be another four years before I can make this right. I could not get what I expected,” Sakshi said, wiping away her tears.