India's star wrestler once again brought glory to the nation as he bagged a coveted gold medal by routing Canada's Lachlan McNeil 9-2 in the final of the 65 kg category at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 on Friday (August 5).
This was Bajrang's second gold and a hat-trick of Commonwealth medal. He had won silver in his maiden CWG in 2014 and then bettered the colour four years ago in Gold Cost by winning a gold.
Bajrang's efforts took India's medal tally to 22 at the ongoing Games in Birmingham.
Bajrang made light work of his opponents in in the semi-final, quarter-final, and in the round of 16, advancing to the gold medal bout without losing a single point. The 28-year-old Indian registered a victory by technical superiority (10-0) as his opponent, England's George Ramm, was unable to score any points before Bajrang reached 10 points, in a one-sided semi-final lasting only 91 seconds.
India had won 102 medals in wrestling at the Games before the start of this year's edition making it the country's second-most prominent sport only behind shooting, which is not a part of CWG 2022.
Canada's Lachlan Maurice McNeil fought well against Bajrang but the Indian was far superior in technique and stamina.
Bajrang has been struggling to play freely since last year and his over defensive tactics put a question-mark over his ability to extend his dominance in international arena but on Friday he made his moves without inhibition.
However, the CWG is not the best platform to judge if Bajrang has got his mojo back because of the inferior field quality.
Meanwhile, India's Anshu Malik also won silver after losing to Nigeria's Odunayo Folasade in women's 57kg final bout.
Anshu, who has taken rapid strides in her career, reached the women's 57kg final with similar dominance but ended up second-best with a silver medal.
The Nidani wrestler, who turned 21 on Friday, won by technical superiority against Australia's Irene Symeonidis and Sri Lanka's Nethmi Ahinsa Fernando Poruthotage.
It did not take Anshu much time to measure her opponents. Her trademark aggression and quality was too hot to handle for her rivals till the gold bout.
The World Championship silver medallist though could not breach the defence of Nigeria's Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye, losing the gold bout 3-7. The Nigerian was strong with her defence and Anshu could not find a way to make her moves.
