Vinesh Phogat completes hat-trick of gold medals at CWG with win in women's 53KG freestyle

Naveen Kumar also won the gold medal in his category at Commonwealth Games 2022.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat struck gold for India in the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022. Vinesh was drawn into the Nordic round as the weight category of women's freestyle 53kg consisted of only three other wrestlers. Naveen Kumar won gold as well, in the men’s freestyle 74kg category.

As per the United World Wrestling, the Nordic format is implemented in wrestling if there are less than six wrestlers in a weigh-in category. In such a scenario, the matches are drawn in the round-robin style. Each wrestler has a bout against the other. The one to win the maximum number of bouts is awarded the first position, and so on and forth.

[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

The Nordic round in the women's freestyle 53kg category featured Vinesh Phogat (India), Samantha Stewart (Canada), Mercy Adekuoroye (Nigeria) and Chamodya Keshani Maduravalage (Sri Lanka). Vinesh won against each of them - VFA (2-0), VPO (6-0) and VFA (4-0) respectively. Hence, her cent-percent win record ensured she finished at the top of the table, thus winning the gold medal.

Naveen Kumar didn’t face much challenges either. He won against Ogbonna Emmanuel John of Nigeria, Hong Yeow Lou of Singapore, and Charlie Bowling of England to qualify for the final. In the gold medal match, Naveen defeated Muhammad Sharif Tahir of Pakistan - VPO (9 - 0).

Vinesh Phogat - A modern great

Vinesh started her wrestling under the watchful eyes of her uncle and renowned coach Mahavir Singh Phogat. She followed the footsteps of her cousins Geeta Phogat and Babita Phogat. A gold at the Birmingham 2022 meant she completed a hat-trick of CWG gold medals as she stood atop the podium at 2018 Gold Coast and 2014 Glasgow.

In addition, she has won two medals at the Asian Games (1 gold, and 1 bronze). She has eight Asian Championship medals (1 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze) against her name too. Another notable achievement of her is the bronze at the World Championships.

What has eluded Vinesh till now is the Olympics only. Sooner or later, she will win an Olympic medal too, if she continues to carry her rich vein of form.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, and Instagram and join our community on Telegram.