Olympic-bound wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Anshu Malik have made India proud. The champions have won their maiden Asian Championship titles on Friday. The 26-year-old Vinesh grappler from Haryana came close to winning the title thrice but could only manage to finish second.
By the way, Phogat has always lost summit in clash with Japanese or Chinese wrestlers. But there was no chance to loose this time in the absence of the Chinese and Japanese rivals. In the meanwhile, teenage sensation Anshu Malik won her maiden Asian Championships gold medal. The 19-year old Anshu stand out with her progressive performance in the senior circuit in 57kg. She won final 3-0 with her confidence and was never really troubled by Mongolia s Battsetseg Altantsetseg, except for a double-leg attack. The teenage camp keeping her lead intact for gold. Earlier in the day, Vinesh won a bronze in the Delhi edition of the Continental championship last year.
Wrestling Asian Championships: Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik and Sakshi Malik reach respective finals
Vinesh who has had seven podium finishes at the Asian meet over the years, including three silver medals will now eye her first gold medal. File image of Vinesh Phogat | Special Arrangement
Dominating the proceedings in a depleted field, three Indian wrestlers including Olympic bound Vinesh Phogat (53kg) and young Anshu Malik (57kg) reached their respective finals at the Asian Championship in Almaty on Friday.
There was no stopping Vinesh in the absence of the Chinese and Japanese rivals as she cruised to the summit round without losing a point and can now win her first gold medal at the continental championship.
ALMATY, Apr 16:
Dominating the proceedings in a depleted field, Olympic-bound wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Anshu Malik won their maiden Asian Championship titles after comfortable triumphs in their respective summit clashes here today.
There was no stopping Vinesh in the absence of the Chinese and Japanese rivals as she cruised to the title without losing a point in the 53kg category.
Vinesh has notched up seven podium finishes at the Asian meet over the years, including three silver medals before this edition.
Also standing on top of the podium was Divya Kakran (72kg) while Sakshi Malik (65kg) settled for a silver medal, a performance which should boost her confidence after enduring a long wretched run.