Thaindian News

By Alkesh Sharma
New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) Indians continued their good showing in wrestling to scoop up a gold, silver and bronze each in the women’s event at the Commonwealth Games here Thursday.

Wrestler Geeta powered her way to the gold in Freestyle 55 kg category. Geeta, placed seventh at the 2006 world championships, easily defeated Australian wrestler Emily Bensted 11-0.

“After winning the semi-final match against the Nigerian wrestler, I was sure of winning the finals. I was very confident and maintained my cool. There was no difficulty in winning the final,” said an elated Geeta, while talking to reporters.

She added: “My father was also a wrestler and it was he who motivated me to take up wrestling. Now I hope that my sister Babita, who is competing in 51 kg freestyle wrestling, will also win gold for India.”

The bronze went to Nigerian wrestler Lovina Odohi Edward who outclassed Jayne Clason of Scotland 8-0.

In the Freestyle 48 kg category, India’s wrestler Nirmala Devi won the silver. Though Nirmala started the final on a high note, she soon lost the momentum and was thrashed by Canada’s Carol Huynh 12-0.

Earlier, Nirmala Devi had bagged the gold at the Commonwealth Championships in 2005 and 2007.

Odunayo Adekuroye, of Nigeria, who overpowered South African grappler Brumilda Leeuw 14-0, won bronze medal in the 48 kg category.

Another Indian grappler Suman Kundu won the bronze in the Freestyle 63 kg category. She defeated South African wrestler Zumicke Geringer by 9-2.

The gold went to Canadian Justine Bouchard who beat Nigerian Blessing Oborududu 6-2 in the final.

There was an overwhelming support for the Indian women wrestlers at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex here Thursday. Women wrestling is making its debut with this edition of the Commonwealth Games.

P.R. Sondhi, national chief coach of wrestling, told IANS: “I am very happy with the performance of my girls. Though some of them lost, this is part of the game. Now we are looking forward to win more gold medals in the remaining weight categories.”

The 72 kg category gold was bagged by Ohenewa Akuffo of Canada. Silver and bronze went to Annabel Ali of Cameroon, and Nigeria’s Hellen Okus, respectively.

In the men’s Greco-Roman category, which has also made its debut at the Games, India won four golds, one silver and one bronze.