Thaindian News

By Alkesh Sharma
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) Amid electrifying atmosphere at the K.D. Jadhav wrestling stadium, Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Sushil Kumar brought a spectacular end to India’s campaign in wrestling by winning the 66 kg freestyle gold here Sunday. India finished with 10 gold, five silver and three bronze.

Sushil gave a power-packed performance as he outclassed South African Heinrich Barnes, 7-0. As the bout ended, the overflowing stands broke into an impromptu jig to the tune of ‘yeh desh hai veer jawano ka’. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit and Commonwealth Games organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi were among the spectators cheering the Indian wrestlers.

Apart from Sushil’s gold, there was some disappointment on the final day of wrestling as Indians lost two other finals — Anuj Kumar (84kg) and Joginder Kumar (120kg) — and had to be content with silver. Anil Kumar got bronze in the 55kg event.

“I feel very happy winning the gold for India. I had put in a lot of hard work and by God’s grace I have won today. Now my next aim is to win gold in the upcoming Asian Games,” Sushil told reporters.

“It was a tough match. The main challenge was to get hold of my opponent as he was very quick.”

Canada’s Chris Prickett, who overcame Pakistan’s Muhammad Salman 8-4, won the bronze.

In 84kg category, Anuj lost to Pakistan’s Mohammad Inam 4-3 amid high drama as the fight went all along the wire.

“I do not know why I have lost today. I can only say that I could not fight properly. In the Manchester Games also, my opponent got a clinch and I had to be content with silver and this time again my opponent got the clinch. But I have to move on and now my aim is win the gold at the Asian Games,” said a visibly dejected Anuj.

“We had done a lot of hard work and I beat the Nigerian wrestler, who was the best wrestler, in the semi-final. So there is no question of lack of preparation. Unfortunately I could not execute my strategy in the final. Too much of sweating was also a hindrance for me.”

Nigerian Andrew Adibo Dick, who thrashed South African Gerald Waldema Meyer 3-1, won the bronze.

Joginder Kumar, who was also in the race of gold medal in the 120kg category, was defeated by Indian-origin Canadian Arjan Singh Bhullar 4-0.

Cameroon’s Hugues Their Onanena, who defeated Australian grappler Denis Roberts 4-3, got the bronze.

Anil Kumar won the bronze in the freestyle 55kg, defeating Wales’ Craig Pilling 3-0 in just 33 seconds in the first bout itself.

Pakistan’s Azhar Hussain, who defeated Nigeria’s Ebikewenimo Welson in the finals 9-5, won the gold.