Ravi Kumar Dahiya wins gold at the Asian Wrestling Championship; Bajrang Punia forfeits final due to injury to settle for silver

Ravi Kumar Dahiya wins gold at the Asian Wrestling Championship; Bajrang Punia forfeits final due to injury to settle for silver

Ravi Dahiya

Ravi Kumar Dahiya emerged triumphant at the Asian Wrestling Championship today in the 57 kg category at Almaty. Bajrang Punia on the other hand had to be content with a silver medal as he went down in the final of the 65 kg category against his fierce Japanese rival Takuto Otoguro due to an injury default. It had been smooth sailing for the Indian wrestler till that point as he eased to the summit clash.

Meanwhile, Ravi Dahiya came up with an inspired showing to clinch the gold. He was returning to the wrestling mat after a gap of a year, but he seemed to show no signs of rustiness after overcoming a slow start in the early matches. Once he got into his groove in the opening bout, there was no stopping him as he came up with an impressive run to the final before defeating Iran’s Alireza Nosratolah 9-4 to clinch gold.

Ravi Kumar Dahiya continues his domination of the event

Ravi Dahiya
Ravi Dahiya

Ravi Dahiya has been on a dominant run in the event and this was his second consecutive gold medal at the Asian Wrestling Championship. Soon after his win, “Many congratulations to #TOPSAthlete Ravi Dahiya who retains his title in Men’s 57 kg at the Asian Wrestling Championships after beating Iran’s Alireza Sarlak 9-4,” tweeted SAI Media.

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Further, in the 70 kg category, India’s Karan Mor clinched a bronze medal after losing his semi-final. In the bronze medal bout, he got past South Korea’s Lee Seungbom. Narsingh Yadav also clinched a bronze medal by defeating Iraq’s Ahmed Mohsin Kadhim Al Gburi in the 79 kg category.

In the women’s events yesterday, India tasted great success as the likes of Vinesh Phogat, Divya Kakran and Anshu Malik all grabbed gold medals. With such an impressive showing and with the Tokyo Olympic Games looming, India would feel they are in good stead to definitely win medals in wrestling.

Also Read: Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik and Divya Kakran clinch gold at the Asian Wrestling Championship