In a spectacular sporting display by Indian wrestlers Friday, Bajrang Punia gave the country its first gold medal in wrestling at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022, only to be followed by Sakshi Malik in the women’s 62kg category and Deepak Puniya in men’s 86kg category sealing a hat-trick of golds in the sports.
Puniya beat Canada’s Lachlan McNeil in the men’s 65kg freestyle wrestling final.
It was a technically perfect bout from Bajrang in the final as he beat the Canadian 9-2 on points.
Congratulating Puniya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “The talented@BajrangPunia is synonymous with consistency and excellence. He wins a Gold at the Birmingham CWG. Congratulations to him for the remarkable feat, his 3rd consecutive CWG medal. His spirit and confidence is inspiring. My best wishes always.”
A few minutes later, 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik outwitted Canada’s Ana Gonzalez in the women’s 62kg category to add a second gold in wrestling.
Bajrang is an Olympic bronze medallist (Tokyo 2020) and also has another gold and a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games to his name. He has one silver and two bronze medals to his name in World Championships.
Sakshi Malik, meanwhile, won her first gold medal at CWG. She won a silver in the 58kg category in 2014 and a bronze in the 62kg category in 2018.
Tweeting her congratulations, PM Modi wrote: “Our athletes continue to make us proud at CWG Birmingham. Thrilled by the outstanding sporting performance of @SakshiMalik. I congratulate her for winning the prestigious Gold medal. She is a powerhouse of talent and is blessed with remarkable resilience.”
For Deepak Puniya, who is a World Championships silver medallist in 2019, this is the first major gold medal at a senior event.
He displayed brilliant form at the Birmingham CWG with two technical superiority wins.
In his message for Deepak, PM Modi wrote: “Feeling proud of the spectacular sporting performance by our very own Deepak Punia! He is India’s pride and has given India many laurels. Every Indian is elated by his winning the Gold medal. Best wishes to him for all upcoming endeavours.”
The list doesn’t stop here with India’s Divya Wrestler winning the bronze medal before India could even blink.
This is her second consecutive medal at the CommonwealthGames.
PM Modi congratulated her writing: India’s wrestlers are outstanding and this is clearly reflecting in the CWG. Proud of @DivyaWrestler for winning a Bronze. This achievement will be cherished for generations to come. Best wishes for her future endeavours.”
