PUNE Abasaheb Atkale, who trains at the Kaka Pawar Talim, Ambegaon, was taken the distance by Santosh Hirgude, with whom he practices every day.
Atkale defeated Hirgude to claim the gold medal in the 57-kg weight category (mud) during the 63rd Maharashtra Kesari, ongoing at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi on Friday.
The contest ended with the score at 8-8, with Atkale emerging winner on the count back score.
“The bout was difficult since I was facing an opponent from my talim. Hirgude and I practice together regularly. As we know each other’s strength and weakness, it was hard to trick the opponent,” said Atkale, who recently won a silver medal in the Senior National Championship at Jalandar, Punjab in November-December, 2019.
Atkale has been practising on the mat for the last 10 years.
“It was just 15 days earlier that he started to train on mud. The medal at the recently-concluded championship boosted his confidence,” explained coach Sunil Liman.
In last edition of the state’s premier wrestling event held at Jalna, Atkale did not win a medal.
“This time I was confident and better prepared,” added Atkale, whose brother Jyotiba, will also reste for gold tomorrow in 57kg category, on the mat.
{{/usCountry}}“This time I was confident and better prepared,” added Atkale, whose brother Jyotiba, will also reste for gold tomorrow in 57kg category, on the mat.
{{/usCountry}}“As my younger brother is participating in the mat category, I opted to take part in the mud category. I don’t face much difficulty on mat or mud,” said Atkale.
Hanumant Puri takes 79-kg gold
In the 79kg mud category, Hanumant Puri of Osmanabad clinched the gold medal defeating Sagar Chougule, Solapur 5-0.
Puri dominated right from the start and played his moves in a better manner to outclass Chougule.
Results
57kg
Gold: Abasaheb Atkale, Solapur
Silver: Santosh Hirgude, Kolhapur
Bronze: Onkar Lad, Kolhapur
79kg
Gold: Hanumant Puri, Osmanabad
Silver: Sagar Chougule, Solapur
Bronze: Dharma Shinde, Nashik