GOLD COAST, April 13: Bajrang Punia (65kg) was the lone gold-medallist but it was nonetheless an admirable haul of four medals by Indian grapplers on the second day of Commonwealth Games� wrestling competition here today.
Punia, the prodigy of Olympic bronze-medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, claimed all his four bouts on technical superiority to finish on top, the most dominating performance of the day by an Indian wrestler.
His final bout against Welshman Kane Charig who lasted just over a minute.
Finishing with silver medals were Pooja Dhanda (57kg) and Mausam Khatri (97kg), while Divya Kakran (68kg) settled for a bronze.
�This gold medal proves the significant improvement in my wrestling career as I won silver at the last Commonwealth Games. I played four bouts, and I was prepared quite well for the competition,� he added.
Asked about his thoughts on the extremely short final bout, Punia said, �I didn�t see the time but I wanted to finish it as quickly as possible.�
�I respect all my opponents, but I fear none. We all tried our absolute best, but the sky was my limit today,� he added.
Punia defeated New Zealand�s Brahm Richards, Nigeria�s Amas Daniel and Canada�s Vincent De Marinis en route the final.
Pooja, on other hand, claimed easy wins in the preliminary stage before being outwitted by defending champion Odunayo Adekuoroye in the final clash. The Indian lost 5-7 in a close contest, during which she did remarkably well in the second round. � PTI
