CWG 2018 | Sushil Kumar smashes Johannes Botha in a flash to win third Wrestling Gold medal
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Indian Wrestler Sushil Kumar defeated South African Johannes Botha in the final bout of the Men's Freestyle 74 kg category to add to India’s impressive medal tally at the 2018 CWG. Previously, Kumar defeated Jevon Balfour, Mohammad Butt, Connor Evans to ultimately beat Botha in the final match.
After being selected for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth games in controversial circumstances, Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar proved his worth by winning the Gold medal in the Men's Freestyle 74 kg category today.
Kumar began the day with a comfortable win against Canadian opponent Jevon Belfour. In what was a quick encounter, Kumar thrashed his opponent 11-0 to move through to the quarter-finals to set up a tie with neighboring country Pakistan’s Muhammad Asad Butt. The Glasgow Games Gold medallist also won four classification points in his match against Belfour.
What happened in his second bout of the day, was a replica of the first one, as he wrecked havoc on the wrestling mat to defeat Butt with another 11-0 win in the round of 16
He continued his dazzling form as he wrapped up a quick win against Evans to assure the Indian contingent of its second medal in wrestling at the 2018 CWG. As a result of the win, Sushil set up an encounter with South Africa's Johannes Botha in the men's 74kg wrestling final.
In the final bout, Kumar overcame Botha in a similar fashion as the first two bouts of the day and secured Gold in the Men's Freestyle 74 kg category. It was India’s second Gold medal in wrestling after compatriot Rahul Aware won a Gold in the 57kg category. Amongst the women, 28-year old Babita Phogat won the Silver medal in the 53kg class while Kiran won Bronze in the women’s 76 kg category as the Indian wrestlers ended the day with four medals.
