Despite the absence of most of the stalwarts, Haryana wrestlers proved that their next generation is ready with their stellar performances at the National Games in Gandhinagar on Friday. Winning five out of six golds on the first day and a bout between Haryana wrestlers in the final of two weights categories shows that the replacements of the veterans in wrestling are now very close to being fully prepared.
The WFI this time introduced three wrestlers each in the freestyle, Greco-roman and women’s categories. The wrestlers who played on Thursday, won the hearts of everyone with their scintillating performance. In women’s 62 kg, Shafali and 57 kg Aman were given a chance from Haryana, while Haryana’s wrestlers were already present in their weight but both of them reached the final. Shafali was defeated by Manisha in the final while Aman won everyone’s heart by beating his equal status wrestler Udit with technical superiority.
Divya Kakran for the first time took part in 76 kg and won with great ease by beating Rani of Himachal. Previously she won medals in Asiad and CWG. Usually she takes part in 68 kg. She showed that she can beat the stalwarts even in the 76 Kg category. She easily defeated Gursharan Kaur, who had won three golds in the National Games previously.
Deepak, who defeated Satyawart in the CWG trials, brought laurels to Mirchpur Academy by beating Sahil of Punjab here.
Earlier, he has won bronze in World Junior and Gold in Asian under 23. Sunil Kumar, who won gold at last year’s Asian Championship in the Greco-Roman style of 87 kg defeated veteran and international wrestler Harpreet Singh.
Ravindra Khatri, who participated in the Rio Olympics in the same weight, had to be content with the bronze medal by losing to Sunil.
In the Greco-Roman category of 67 kg, Ashu of Haryana defeated Karmjit Singh of Punjab to secure the fifth medal overall for Haryana.