PUTTING aside the mental and physical struggles that pegged her back, an intimidating Vinesh Phogat pounced on her rivals to complete a hat-trick of CWG gold medals while Ravi Dahiya and Naveen, too, went unchallenged in their gold-winning shows, here on Saturday. Vinesh became the first Indian woman wrestler to win three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal. Ravi was too good for Nigeria’s Ebikewenimo Welson in the 57kg final while Naveen (74kg), defeated Pakistan’s Tahir Muhammad Sharif 9-0 in a one-sided bout to clinch third gold of the day for India. India won two more medals, both bronze with Pooja Gehlot (50kg) and Pooja Sihag (76kg) winning their bouts. In what was expected to be a tough opener against world championship bronze medallist Samantha Leigh Stewart, Vinesh reduced it to a no contest and finished it in mere 36 seconds.

 

Vinesh had the Canadian in a head lock from where she pushed her on the mat and in no time pinned her rival. Even before people could warm up to the contest, it was all over. Next up for the 27-year-old Vinesh was Nigeria’s Mercy Bolafunoluwa Adekuoroye, who tried to resist a bit but soon the Indian had her in an iron grip. Vinesh kept her in that position for more than a minute in a magnificent show of power, winning 6-0. With only four wrestlers in the women’s 53kg draw, Vinesh now needed to beat Sri Lanka’s Chamodya Keshani Maduravlage Don and she did it in style, winning ‘by fall’ to clinch her third successive gold.

 

Tokyo Games silver medallist Ravi foiled a right leg attack and on next try of the Nigerian, he scored on counter-attack, effecting a take-down move with ease. Ravi won both of his bouts — against Suraj Singh of New Zealand and Pakistan’s Asad Ali — by technical superiority en route the final. Naveen began his bouts with TSU wins over Nigeria’s Ogbonna Emmanuel John, Singapore’s Hong Yeow Lou and England’s Charlie James Bowling. In the final, he gave no chance to his Pakistan opponent to win the gold medal.