Bajrang leads wrestlers’ charge
GOLDCOAST: Indian wrestlers continued to prove their mettle on the mat by winning four medals, including a gold, on the second day of the wrestling competition.
Bajrang Punia was the star of the show as he demolished his opponents to win gold in the 65kg category. Pooja Dhanda (57kg) and Mausam Khatri (97kg) lost their final bouts to finish with silver while Divya Kakran settled for bronze in the 68kg women’s competition.
India have won eight medals in wrestling so far, getting to the podium in each category. With four more weight categories lined up on Saturday, the tally is going to swell.
Bajrang, the 2013 World Championships bronze medallist, has lived under the shadow of mentor Yogeshwar Dutt. But with the London Olympics bronze medallist retiring, the 24-year-old Bajrang grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Doing justice to his talent, Bajrang won his four bouts on technical superiority and wrapped up the final against Welshman Kane Charig in just over a minute. He defeated New Zealand’s Brahm Richards, Nigeria’s Amas Daniel and Canada’s Vincent De Marinis to reach the final.
“This gold proves the significant improvement in my wrestling. I had won silver at the previous Games. I played four bouts and I was prepared for the competition,” said Bajrang.
“I didn’t see the time but I wanted to finish the final as quickly as possible.”
Another young wrestler Pooja played her heart out in the final against defending champion Odunayo Adekuoroye of Nigeria but lost 5-7. In fact, Pooja was trailing 1-6 but launched a fierce attack in the last few seconds to close the gap. The Nigerian heaved a sigh of relief and broke into an impromptu dance after the win. Pooja was a find in the Pro Wrestling League this season as the 24-year-old had stunned reigning world and Olympic champion Helen Maroulis of the US twice.
“If I had performed the way I fought in the second round, I could have won. I lacked in attack and could not take my chances. I would look to to change the colour of the medal next time,” she said.
Khatri, who was making his debut at the Games, lost to South African Martin Erasmus 12-2.
Divya lost to Nigeria’s Blessing Oborududu in the semi-final before getting the better of Bangladesh’s Sherin Sultana for a bronze medal.