India wrestler Phogat wins 53kg gold to reclaim No. 1 ranking; Punia enters men’s 65kg final
Vinesh Phogat
Living up to the expectations, star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat grabbed the 53kg gold medal along with World No. 1 rank, while Bajrang Punia booked his spot in the final of the men’s 65kg event the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event, here on Sunday.
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It was second gold medal for Vinesh in as many weeks with a dominant win as the world bronze medallist, 26, blanked Canada’s Diana Mary Helen Weicker 4-0 in the title clash.
Vinesh scored all her points in the first period and held on to her lead in the second to ensure a top-of-the-podium finish. Vinesh had won a gold medal in Kiev last week and this performance would give her the belief that her preparations for the Tokyo Olympics are on the right track.
Bajrang Punia
The Indian had entered the event as World No. 3, but is back to World No. 1 by jumping 14 points. The Canadian was ranked as low as 40 before the tournament but is now just behind Vinesh at number two.
For Bajrang, first up was Selim Kozan, a former cadet world champion from Turkey. The Indian easily crushed him by 7-0 scoreline. He faced stiff competition from America’s Joseph Christopher Mc Kenna but prevailed 6-3 in the semi-final.
He will now face Mongolia’s Tulga Tumur Ochir, who prevented an all-Indian final by defeating Rohit 4-0 in the other 65kg semifinal. Rohit will now fight for bronze.
In the 74kg quarter-final, Narsingh Pancham Yadav lost to Jordan Ernest Buuroughs in the semi-final. He will also fight for bronze.
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