Commonwealth Games: Bajrang Punia leads India’s wrestling gold rush in Birmingham

Birmingham: India had their best day yet at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games with three gold, one silver and two bronze. It was a perfect six from the six categories that were on display on the first day of the wrestling competition at the Coventry Arena in the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The gold medallists for India were Bajrang Punia (65kg), Sakshi Malik (62 kg) and Deepak Punia (86 kg), while silver came from Anshu Malik 957 kg). Divya Kakran (678 kg) and Mohit Grewal (125 kg) picked a bronze each. That brought India’s medals tally to 26 medals including nine gold, eight silver and nine bronze.

In the arena, where the atmosphere was electric, it was appropriate that Bajrang Punia, one of India's most popular and best-decorated wrestlers, started the Indian gold rush. Turning in an aggressive display, which was like seeing Bajrang of the old before his injury in 2018, he outclassed the Canadian Lachlan McNeil on points. That set the tone for the remaining Indians.

In the morning, the wrestling venue was hit by a two-hour delay after the first nine bouts. An installation in the roof, probably a speaker, fell in the area near the judges and close to the Mat. The Organisers not wanting to take chances stopped the session, vacated the Hall, and affected repairs. They re-started action after two hours. Initially, the spectators thought it was a security concern, but it was later said to be a ‘health and safety' concern.

Two Indian wrestlers, Bajrang Punia and Deepak Punia, had won their first bouts in the elimination stage before the stoppage.

In the evening reserved for medal fights, Anshu Malik (women’s 57 kg) was the first of the four Indians in the finals. She had earlier beaten Australian Irene Symeonidis and Sri Lankan Nathmi Poruthtotage to get into the final.

Anshu making her CWG debut lost to a highly experienced Nigerian Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye and settled for silver. It was the Nigerian’s fourth CWG medal and the last three have been gold, all at the expense of Indian wrestlers – Lalita Sehrawat in 2014, Pooja Dhanda in 2018 and now Anshu.

The Nigerian dominated the fight even though the Indian tried a comeback in late stages. A late challenge also did not help as Adekuoroye won 7-3 for her third straight gold medal and fourth overall.

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Anshu, silver medallist at the 2021 World Championships silver medallist was. disappointed and said, “Maybe I could have attacked more in the first round like I did in the second round. In the last few minutes, I went for an all-out approach. I had lost to her in Italy as well in 2020 but it was much closer this time. I came here for gold, and I gave it all on the mat.”

India did not have to wait for long for the first gold as Bajrang emerged winner in 65 kg, followed by Sakshi Malik and Deepak Punia.

Bajrang sets the tone for the evening gold rush

Bajrang Punia - The Pride of India.