India made a clean sweep of the gold medals on offer on the opening day of the wrestling competition here at the DTRP Indoor Stadium on Saturday.
Rajneesh and the young Ravinder dominated their Pakistani opponents in the final to get both the men’s gold in the 57 and 65kg categories while Priyanka Singh, Archana and Manisha triumphed in the women’s 48kg, 55kg and 60kg category making India’s supremacy complete.
India fielded the runners-up of the recent Nationals held in Delhi and despite that reaped picked up all the gold as the opposition failed to provide enough challenge to test their mettle.
The best came from young Ravinder who beat Mohammad Bilal of Pakistan 5-0 in the final. The 18-year-old gave the Pakistani no chance in the gold medal clash.
The Indian earned points in both the rounds despite his opponent coming hard at him. Ravinder, who had previously won the Asian cadet championship bronze, said the win strengthened his resolve to make the Olympic qualification, which will take place in Kazakhstan during March.
Rajneesh proved too good for Mohammad Nadar of Pakistan in the men’s 65kg final. He had his opponent on the mat in the very first round and the bout was stopped when he was ahead 11-0 and the Indian declared winner on technical superiority.
The women too impressed with Priyanka, Archana and Manisha runaway winners in a restricted field and against seemingly weak opponents.
The women’s competition was held in a round-robin format as only four countries put their wrestlers. The Indians won all their league rounds convincingly to ensure all the three golds.
The results: Men: 57kg: Final: Ravinder bt Mohammad Bilal (Pak) 5-0. Bronze: S.D. Asanga (Sri) bt Jaimangal Yadav (Nep) 10-0.
65kg: Final: Rajneesh bt Mohammad Nadar (Pak) 11-0. Bronze: W.M.C. Pareira (Sri) bt Zamir (Afg) 18-6.
Women: 48kg: 1. Priyanka Singh 12 points; 2. S.P.S Niroshini (Sri) 8; 3. Nadi Chakma (Ban) 4.
55kg: 1. Archana 12; 2. M.W.M.P. Kumari (Sri) 8; 3. Suma Chowdhury (Ban) 4.
60kg: 1. Manisha 12; 2. Rina Akhtar (Ban) 8; 3. Priyanga Kumari (Sri) 3.
