It was a Super Sunday for India as it saw a huge haul of gold, silver and bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games. Eldhose Paul won a historic triple jump gold in a 1-2 finish for India as the country bagged four medals on the concluding day of athletics competitions at the Commonwealth Games here. After the mad rush of four medals coming within 30 minutes, India’s medal tally from athletics swelled to eight — 1 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze — the best in CWG history outside the country and only second to the haul at the 2010 edition in Delhi.
The 25-year-old Paul became only the sixth Indian to win a CWG gold since legendary Milkha Singh won it in 1958 in 440 yards. The Ernakulam-born Indian Navyman led India’s historic 1-2 finish with a best jump of 17.03m in his third attempt after opening with 14.62m. His jump was though wind-assisted and his second best was 16.63m. Before Sunday’s jump, he had a personal best of 16.99m. Paul’s historic 1-2 finish in men’s triple jump at the Commonwealth Games was followed by fellow Kerala athlete Abdulla Aboobacker here on Sunday as he finished at 17.02m, which he managed in his fifth attempt.
Meanwhile, in boxing, the indomitable Nikhat Zareen added a Commonwealth Games light flyweight (50kg) title to her bulging trophy cabinet while Amit Panghal (51kg) began his redemption journey with a much-needed gold winning show. Nikhat, who is on a winning spree since the Nationals last year, asserted her dominance over Northern Ireland’s Carly Mc Naul as she punched her way to a comprehensive 5-0 win in her maiden CWG appearance.
Panghal, on the other hand, avenged his 2018 Commonwealth Games final loss against Kiaran MacDonald by clinching the title with a comprehensive 5-0 win over the favourite. Indian boxers made it three out of three golds on the day as young Nitu Ghanghas (48kg) too reigned supreme on her CWG debut. Sagar Ahlawat will play his final bout later on Sunday night.
The India pugilists will return with seven medals from Birmingham, two less than the previous edition.