CWG: Ashwini-Sikki reach badminton women’s doubles semis
Gold Coast (Australia), April 13 (IANS) India’s Ashwini Ponnappa and N.Sikki Reddy entered the semi-finals of badminton women’s doubles at the 21st Commonwealth Games here on Friday.
Ashwini and Sikki, the lone Indian pair in the quarters, comfortably thrashed the Sri Lankan pair of Hasini Ambalangodage and Madushika Dilrukshi Beruwelage 21-11, 21-13 in a match that lasted merely 26 minutes.
The Sri Lankan pair failed to put up a challenge to the Indians, who had no troubles in either game.
In the semi-final on Saturday, Ashwini and Sikki will take on the winner between the English pair of Chloe Birch and Jessica Pugh, and Malaysians Mei Kuan Chow and Vivian Hoo.
Wrestlers Bajrang, Khatri in CWG finals
Gold Coast (Australia), April 13 (IANS) Indian wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Mausam Khatri entered the finals of their respective freestyle categories at the 21st Commonwealth Games (CWG) here on Friday.
Bajrang came up with an awe inspiring performance to win all his bouts by technical superiority and enter the summit clash of the men’s 65 kilogram category in style.
Bouts are awarded on the basis of technical superiority when a wrestler takes a lead of 10 or more points.
Khatri entered the final of the men’s 97kg category.
Bajrang overpowered Vincent De Marinis of Canada in the semi-finals.
He had started his campaign with a power-packed display against Brahm Richards of New Zealand.
The Indian needed only a couple of minutes to beat Richands by technical superiority.
Bajrang executed a couple of two-point moves to go 4-0 up within the first 30 seconds. He then pulled off a gut wrench to flip his opponent over which earned him another four points.
Bajrang almost pulled off a pin but the Kiwi survived somehow with some desperate defending. But another two-point move by the Indian finished off the contest.
In the quarter-finals, Bajrang outclassed Amas Daniel of Nigeria, building up a 10-0 lead early in the second round.
The domination contiuned in the semi-finals Bajrang pulled off a series of two-point moves to take an 8-0 lead in the first round.
Another takedown just after the break earned him the win and a place in the final.
Bajrang will take on Kane Charig of Wales for the gold medal.
Khatri also dominated his division, starting his campaign with a technical superiority win over Alexios Kaouslidis of Cyprus.
Khatri was too good for his opponent, scoring three four-point moves to wrap up the issue in less than a minute.
He faced a more difficult task in the semi-finals, needing two full rounds to take a 10-7 win over beat Soso Tamarau of Nigeria.
Boxer Amit enters CWG final
Gold Coast (Australia), April 13 (IANS) Indian boxer Amit Panghal entered the final of the men’s light flyweight (49 kilogram) category at the 21st Commonwealth Games here on Friday.
Amit outclassed Juma Miiro of Uganda by a unanimous 5:0 verdict in the semi-finals.