On a fruitful day for India in women’s competition of Asian Wrestling Championship at Indira Gandhi stadium here on Thursday, three female wrestlers — Pinki Rani (55 kg), Sarita Mor (59 kg) and Divya Kakran (68 kg) won Gold medals in the freestyle event. While Nirmala Devi (50kg) settles for Silver in the 50kg category after losing final against Japan’s Migo Igarashi.
2018 Commonwealth and Asian Games Bronze medallist Divya was the star performer for the hosts on the opening day of freestyle event as she produced a strong performance by winning all her bouts, including against reigning junior world champion Naruha Matsuyuki in the fourth round.
She started the day by routing Kazakhstan’s Albina Kairgelinova and then knocked out Mongolia’s Delgermaa Enkkhsaikhan.
In the third round, against Uzbekistan’s Azoda Esbergenova, she led 4-0 with consecutive rolls and then pinned her opponent to finish it off in just 27 seconds.
Against the Japanese junior world champion, with her strong left-leg attacks, Divya led 4-0 with a takedown and an expose move.
The Japanese made a solid start in the second period as she attacked the Indian’s left leg initially but scored points with a right leg move to make it 4-4.
The Japanese almost pinned her but Divya wriggled out of the difficult position. She soon effected a move which led to her victory by fall.
“I had to win by fall to get five points from all my bouts because the Japanese was winning all her bouts by big margins, so I took a risk for big wins. My coach had said that I don’t have to go for big throws all the time, but I went for it,” said Divya.
“It did become tricky after I led 4-0 (in final). I was not in a great position (Naruha’s lock) and it could have been very dangerous. But I took a risk and it paid off by God’s grace.”
Asked if the absence of Chinese wrestler helped, she replied in the affirmative.
“Yes, it did benefit. But if you have a five-wrestler group it becomes even tougher, you have to fight everyone and win big. I won 4 bouts within 2 hours. It was tough on the body but the good thing is I have improved on my range, I made all kinds of attacks, Irani, Kheme, single-led, double leg attacks.”
Sarita, competing in her first Asian event since winning a Silver in 2017 in 58kg, won her first two bouts by technical superiority against Madina Bakbergenova (Kazakhstan) and Nazira MarsbekKyzy (Kyrgyzstan) before winning 10-3 against Japan’s Yuumi Kon.
She edged out Mongolia’s Battseteg Atlantsetseg 3-2 in the final. Sarita managed a push-out point to win her first Gold at this event after the scores were tied.
Pinki, competing at senior Asian for the first time, began by beating Uzbekistan’s Shokida Akhmedova by fall but lost the next bout to Japan’s Kana Higashikawa.
She won her semifinal against Marina Zuyeva 6-0 and beat Mongolia’s Dulguun Bolormaa 2-1 to grab the Gold. All the points scored in the final were on passivity.
“I was a bit careful because I had injured my elbow. I did not want to aggravate since important events are lined up,” said Pinki.
Nirmala beat Mongolia’s Munkhnar Byambasuren 6-4 and Uzbeskitan’s Dauletbike Yakhshimuratova by technical superiority but lost the final 2-3 to Japan’s Miho Igarashi.