First Indian Woman Wrestler to Win Gold in Senior Asian Championships
File photo showing, (l-r): Bronze medalist Hannah Rueben of Nigeria, gold medalist Dori Yeats of Canada, silver medalist Angele Tomo of Cameroon and bronze medalist Navjot Kaur of India after the women’s 69kg wrestling at Scottish Exhibition And Conference Centre during day seven of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on July 30, 2014 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Navjot Kaur scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold in the Senior Asian Championships as she clinched the yellow metal in the 65kg freestyle category in Bishkek, Mar 2.
Navjot outclassed Japan’s Miya Imai 9-1 in a one-sided final bout of the women’s 65kg freestyle category to bag the gold. This was also India’s first gold in the ongoing championships.
Rio Olympics bronze medalist Sakshi Malik won a bronze in the 62kg freestyle category after getting the better of Kazakhstan’s Ayaulym Kassymova 10-7 in a tough fight.
The two medals took India’s medal tally to six—a gold, a silver and four bronze medals.
Navjot produced a thoroughly dominating performance. She was impressive throughout her final bout as she recorded a convincing win.
The 28-year-old Navjot has been around the wrestling circuit for a while as she had previously won a silver at the Asian Championships in 2013 and a bronze in 2014 Commonwealth Games in 67kg.
Sakshi, meanwhile, emerged from a hard-fought bronze medal playoff against Kazhakstan s Ayaulym Kassymova with a 10-7 scoreline.
Vinesh Phogat had to be contend with a silver medal as she lost 2-3 to China’s a Chun Lei in the summit clash of the women’s 50kg freestyle.
Another Indian wrestler Sangeeta defeated Jieun Um of Korea to win a bronze medal in the women’s 59kg freestyle event.