Canadian wrestlers win three golds at CWG
The Canadian women's freestyle wrestling team won three gold medals in the 2010 Commonwealth Games on Thursday.
Olympic champion Carol Huynh, Justine Bouchard and Ohenewa Akuffo ruled their respective weight categories as Team Canada dominated the competition at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi.
Huynh defeated India's Nirmila Devi in the women's 48-kilogram final. The 30-year-old, whose parents hail from Vietnam, endured a tough battle with Devi before escaping with a win.
"The match was exciting, a little closer than I wanted. I was coming from behind after two rounds," said Huynh, who lost both her contact lenses during the match.
Nigeria's Odunayo Adekuroye dominated South African Brumilda Leeuw 14-0 to win the bronze medal.
Bouchard defeated Nigerian Blessing Oborududu in the 63kg final to bag the gold medal. The Wetaskiwin native struggled early in the match as the Nigerian built a 1-0 edge after the first round. But Bouchard
regained her composure to take a 3-1 lead entering the final round. The Canadian took advantage of a tired Oborududu in the third round as she scored two more points to secure the gold medal.
"It's just awesome. It lets me know that I worked hard and I earned that as she was such a tough competitor," Bouchard said.
Local bet Suman Kundu pocketed the bronze medal by beating South African Zumicke Geringer 7-2.
Akuffo gave Canada their third gold medal of the day when she topped the 72kg category. The Ontario native slipped past Cameroon's Annabelle-Laure Ali 4-3 in the final. Akuffo secured the win when she
pushed her opponent outside the mat after receiving an advantage.
"I was not letting up, these are the only Games I haven’t been to, I was not letting go. In the end you want to do the best for yourself and for your country," Akuffo said.
Hellen Okus of Nigeria defeated Sarah Jones of Scotland 4-0 to claim the bronze medal.
Geeta gave the home fans something to cheer for when she ruled the 55kg class. She crushed Australian Emily Bensted 11-0 in the final to give India their first ever women’s wrestling title in the CWG.
"I never expected the finals to be such a one-sided affair. I believe my semi-final bout against the Nigerian was a tougher battle," said Geeta, who won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Championships earlier
this year.
Nigerian Lovina Odohi Edward overpowered Jayne Clason of Scotland 8-0 to win the bronze medal.
Tags: