Dahiya, Bajrang, Deepak earn CWG berths
Olympics medallists Ravi Kumar Dahiya (above) and Bajrang Punia and Olympian Deepak Punia were the leading wrestlers who won the selection trials to make it to the Indian men’s wrestling squad for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
In the trials held in Delhi, Ravi defeated Vijay Patil and Aman (10-0 in the final) to take the 57kg slot.
Bajrang beat Sujeet and Vishal (2-1 in the final) in low-scoring bouts to stake his claim in 65kg.
Deepak Punia got the better of Vicky and Sanjeet (6-0 in the final) for the ■6kg spot.
Naveen got past formidable opponents such as Jitender Kumar and Sagar Jaglan before beating Asian silver medallist Gourav Baliyan, who ousted former Worlds medallist Narsingh Yadav in the semifinals, 12-2 in the final, to book his place in 74kg.
World junior bronze medallist Deepak upset Commonwealth Games and Asian medallist Satyawart Kadian 5-2 in the semifinals and Sahil 10-0 in the final to win the 97kg trials.
Mohit Grewal rallied to beat Satyender Malik 3-3 on criteria in the 125kg final.