Vinesh wins gold, becomes No. 1

Rome, March 7

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Star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat grabbed the women’s 53kg gold medal along with world No. 1 rank while Bajrang Punia booked his spot in the final of the men’s 65kg event at the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event.

The 26-year-old Vinesh beat Canada’s Diana Mary Helen Weicker 4-0 to claim her second gold medal in as many weeks. The Indian had entered the event as world No. 3 but gained 14 points to be back at No. 1. Vinesh did not concede a single point in the tournament, winning two of her three bouts by pinning her rivals while getting injury walkouts in the other two.

Bajrang faced stiff competition from America’s Joseph Christopher Mc Kenna but prevailed 6-3 in the semifinal. He will now face Mongolia’s Tulga Tumur Ochir, who defeated India’s Rohit 4-0 in the other semifinal. In 74kg, Narsingh Pancham Yadav lost to Jordan Ernest Buuroughs in the semifinals. — PTI