Indian wrestlers begin campaign with a bang

As expected, Indian wrestlers came close to making a clean sweep in the Greco-Roman category on the opening day of the Commonwealth Wrestling Championship at the PAP Indoor Stadium on Friday, reports Saurabh Duggal.

As expected, Indian wrestlers came close to making a clean sweep in the Greco-Roman category on the opening day of the Commonwealth Wrestling Championship at the PAP Indoor Stadium on Friday.

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India grabbed six of the seven gold at stake, with South Africa's Richard Addinall spoiling the party by taking the honours in the 74kg category.

Rajinder Kumar gave India a winning start, clinching the first gold. He won the top honours in the 55kg category on points. With only five competitors in the fray, the winner was decided on the Nordic System, where every wrestler competes with all other wrestlers.

Rajinder comfortably secured 14 classification points. Hari Krishan of India-B gathered 12 points for silver, while Basharat Ali of Pakistan and Van Wyk Carlo of South Africa won a bronze each.

Two-time Commonwealth meet champion Ravinder Singh (60kg) won on the basis of the Nordic System. "My aim is to win gold in the Commonwealth Games," he said.