Commonwealth Games wrestling: Sushil Kumar, Rahul Aware take contrasting routes to gold; Babita Kumari claims silver

Gold Coast: Double Olympic-medallist Sushil Kumar (74kg) and Rahul Aware claimed contrasting gold medals even as defending champion Babita Phogat (53kg) settled for a silver on the opening day of the 21st Commonwealth Games’ wrestling competition on Thursday. Sushil took a minute and 20 seconds to defeat Johannes Botha of South Africa on technical superiority to claim his third successive gold medal at the Games. [caption id=“attachment_4428827” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  India’s Rahul Aware after clinching the gold. PTI[/caption] Aware, on the other hand, prevailed 15-7 over Canada’s Steven Takahashi in an exciting contest during which the Indian was troubled by a groin niggle but chose to carry on with more than a minute left on the clock. Aware’s triumph opened India’s gold medal account in the three-day wrestling competition at the Games. “I have been waiting for this medal for the last 10 years. I can’t describe how it feels to claim it. I missed out on 2010, even in 2014, the team was sent without trials. So I am very happy that I could finally fulfil this dream,” said 26-year-old Aware, who is also the reigning Commonwealth championships gold-medallist. “I dedicate this to my guru who passed away in 2012, I am happy that all the efforts I put in got the result I wanted,” he added. Babita, meanwhile, settled for silver after being outmanuevered by Canada’s Diana Weicker in the summit clash. Babita, who claimed a silver in the 2010 edition before a gold in Glasgow, failed to break through her rival’s defences, going down 2-5 in the contest. “I think my weakness today was my attack, I should have been more aggressive but I gave my 100 percent. I am satisfied with the intensity I put in, but obviously I could not get the result I wanted,” she said. “I had a bit of a problem in my knees too but injuries are a wrestler’s ornaments. We live niggles, there is nothing there,” she added. While Babita’s bout lacked spark, Aware’s showdown with Takahashi was thoroughly engaging. The Indian trailed 6-7 at one stage but claimed points on takedown to recover and keep himself ahead.