Xtra Time Web Desk: As expected Bajrang Punia clinched gold in men’s freestyle 65Kg category in the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 here in Birmingham. He defeated Canada’s Lachlan McNeil 9-2 in the final. He thus defended his title and also makes a CWG hat-trick. Sakshi Malik too won gold in Women’s freestyle 62 Kg category. She defeated Gonzalez of Canada. She made a great comeback after trailing 0-4 to pin U-23 world champion Godinez . It was her first CWG gold having won a silver in 2014 and bronze in 2018.
Anshu Malik too brought glory to the country by winning silver in the women’s 57 Kg category. She lost to Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye.
India started the day on a bright note with para-athlete Bhavina Patel entering the Para Table Tennis final event. All the Indian grapplers dominated in Birmingham as four of them assured the country at least a silver. Bajrang Punia, Anshu Malik, Sakshi Malik and Deepak Punia, all advanced into the finals of their respective wrestling events.
In badminton, PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth too won their respective singles matches to enter the quarterfinals. It’s a big day for the Indian women’s hockey team as the Savita Punia-led side takes on mighty Australia for a place in the final and assure India of another medal. Not to forget Hima Das, who will be up in action in the women’s 200m semifinals.