KOZHIKODE:It was a day of spectacular medal hunt for Haryana grapplers, underlining a supremacy they have been holding for long on the mat. Ravindar Singh, gold medallist at 2010 CWG Games, spearheaded the show as Haryana clinched five gold medals out of the six at the Indoor Stadium in Mundayad on Sunday.
There was no upset and Haryana look on course for a top podium finish in most categories. That they took five of the six gold medals in style is a warning of what is coming.
Ritu Malik wrested the first gold beating Seema Pawar of Uttar Pradesh with a grand performance in 55kg freestyle. Suma Kundu overpowered her opponents to win the second gold for her state in 69 kg freestyle. The Delhi CWG bronze medallist beat Manu Tomar of Uttar Pradesh in the final. After the two women, their male state-mates went about the business, with first Jitendar grounding Uttar Pradesh’s Rajesh Kumar on his back in 74kg freestyle final. Ravindar defeated Manoj Kumar in 85kg Greco Roman.
Manoj was solid and aggressive from the start as he beat his opponents with ease. His gold medal bout was one sided as he gave no a chance to his rival. Ravindar added to the tally with a fine show. The Arjuna overcame Vasant of Madya Pradesh in the final of 66kg Greco Roman.
Haryana lost the grip against Services in 57kg freestyle as Army’s Sandeep Tomar beat Amit Kumar in an intensely fought bout to win the remaining gold medal of the day.