On the first day of wrestling competition at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, India's Sushil Kumar, Rahul Aware have won gold in the men's freestyle 74kg and 57kg receptively, while Babita Kumari claimed silver in the women's 53kg freestyle final.
The hero of the day was Sushil Kumar who completed a hat-trick of golds, having struck it rich in Glasgow and New Delhi. The 34-year-old brooked little challenge as he went through four bouts to get to gold,.
Starting with an easy win over Canadian Jevon Balfour, the Indian went from strength to strength with his take-downs as he eliminated Pakistan’s Muhammad Asad Butt. Sushil floored Evans Connor (Australia) by a fall in the semifinal before the final against South African Johannes Botha.
Botha lasted just about 80 seconds before Sushil accumulated the required 10 points to register a win by technical superiority.
Rahul had to work hard before reaching the top of the podium.
Rahul started by disposing of George Ramm (England) in the first round before overpowering Australian Thomas Cicchini in the second.
In the semifinals, the Indian was stretched by Muhammad Bilal (Pakistan) before gaining victory by points.
Though pushed through two rounds by Canadian Steven Takahashi in the final, the Indian stood the test and chalked out sufficient points for a deserving gold medal.
In the women’s 53kg Nordic final, Babita lost the gold medal on account of her own defensive approach, which gave leeway to Diana Weicker to attack and see herself through.