Sushil, Sakshi Win Gold at Commonwealth Wrestling Championship
Sushil Kumar made a return to the international arena by clinching a gold medal at the Commonwealth Wrestling C’ship
Double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar made a glorious return to the international arena by clinching a gold medal at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championship in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Another Olympic medallist, Sakshi Malik, who won a bronze in the 2016 Rio Games, also clinched a gold medal in the championship.
Sakshi defeated New Zealand's Tayla Tuahine Ford by a score of 13-2 in the final of the 62 kg women's freestyle category to add another yellow metal for India.
Earlier in the day returning to international wrestling after more than three years, Sushil defeated New Zealand Akash Khullar's via a pinfall in the final of the 74kg freestyle category to clinch the yellow metal.
It was his first medal in international wrestling since his gold medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
It was double celebration for India as the other wrestler in the same category, Parveen Rana also won a bronze medal.
Sushil returned to competitive wrestling in November at the Senior Nationals in Indore where he won a gold medal amid controversy after getting three walkovers from his fellow wrestlers.
Incidentally, it was Rana who gave him a walkover in the title clash in Indore, but the duo wrestled this time and Sushil came out on top with a 5-4 victory margin.
In his first bout, Sushil defeated Johannes Petrus Botha of South Africa 8-0 followed by the win over Rana.
Sushil also beat Jasmit Singh Phulka of Canada by fall en route his gold medal.
Soon after the victory, Sushil, who won bronze in 2008 Beijing Olympics and then followed it up with a silver in 2012 London Games, dedicated the win to his motherland and coach.
After winning the Nationals, Sushil resigned as a National Observer for wrestling after Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore stated that active sportspersons will not be considered for the position.
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