<p class="title">Double Olympic-medallist Sushil Kumar (74kg) and Rahul Aware claimed gold medals in contrasting fashion even as defending champion Babita Phogat (53kg) settled for a silver on the opening day of the 21st Commonwealth Games' wrestling competition here on Thursday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sushil took a minute and 20 seconds to defeat Johannes Botha of South Africa on technical superiority to claim his third successive gold medal at the Games.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Aware, on the other hand, prevailed 15-7 over Canada's Steven Takahashi in an exciting contest during which the Indian was troubled by a groin niggle but chose to carry on with more than a minute left on the clock.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Aware's triumph opened India's gold medal account in the three-day wrestling competition at the Games. </p>.<p class="bodytext">"I have been waiting for this medal for the last 10 years. I can't describe how it feels to claim it. I missed out on 2010, even in 2014, the team was sent without trials. So, I am very happy that I could finally fulfil this dream," said the 26-year-old Aware, who is also the reigning Commonwealth championships gold-medallist.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I dedicate this to my guru who passed away in 2012, I am happy that all the efforts I put in got the result I wanted," he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, Babita settled for silver after being outmanoeuvred by Canada's Diana Weicker in the summit clash. Babita, who claimed a silver in the 2010 edition before a gold in Glasgow, failed to break through her rival's defences, going down 2-5 in the contest.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I think my weakness today was my attack, I should have been more aggressive but I gave my 100 percent. I am satisfied with the intensity I put in but obviously I could not get the result I wanted," she said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I had a bit of a problem in my knees too but injuries are a wrestler's ornaments. We live with niggles, there is nothing there," she added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">While Babita's bout lacked spark, Aware's showdown with Takahashi was thoroughly engaging. The Indian trailed 6-7 at one stage but claimed points on takedown to recover and keep himself ahead.</p>.<p class="bodytext">PTI</p>
<p class="title">Double Olympic-medallist Sushil Kumar (74kg) and Rahul Aware claimed gold medals in contrasting fashion even as defending champion Babita Phogat (53kg) settled for a silver on the opening day of the 21st Commonwealth Games' wrestling competition here on Thursday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sushil took a minute and 20 seconds to defeat Johannes Botha of South Africa on technical superiority to claim his third successive gold medal at the Games.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Aware, on the other hand, prevailed 15-7 over Canada's Steven Takahashi in an exciting contest during which the Indian was troubled by a groin niggle but chose to carry on with more than a minute left on the clock.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Aware's triumph opened India's gold medal account in the three-day wrestling competition at the Games. </p>.<p class="bodytext">"I have been waiting for this medal for the last 10 years. I can't describe how it feels to claim it. I missed out on 2010, even in 2014, the team was sent without trials. So, I am very happy that I could finally fulfil this dream," said the 26-year-old Aware, who is also the reigning Commonwealth championships gold-medallist.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I dedicate this to my guru who passed away in 2012, I am happy that all the efforts I put in got the result I wanted," he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, Babita settled for silver after being outmanoeuvred by Canada's Diana Weicker in the summit clash. Babita, who claimed a silver in the 2010 edition before a gold in Glasgow, failed to break through her rival's defences, going down 2-5 in the contest.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I think my weakness today was my attack, I should have been more aggressive but I gave my 100 percent. I am satisfied with the intensity I put in but obviously I could not get the result I wanted," she said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I had a bit of a problem in my knees too but injuries are a wrestler's ornaments. We live with niggles, there is nothing there," she added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">While Babita's bout lacked spark, Aware's showdown with Takahashi was thoroughly engaging. The Indian trailed 6-7 at one stage but claimed points on takedown to recover and keep himself ahead.</p>.<p class="bodytext">PTI</p>