Commonwealth Games 2014: Yogeshwar Dutt, Babita Kumari win gold ; lead Indian wrestlers' spectacular show

GLASGOW: Star grappler Yogeshwar Dutt led India's impressive show on the wrestling mat where they grabbed four medals, including two gold, on the concluding day of the competition at the Commonwealth Games here today.

After a gold drought yesterday, India won two gold medals, a silver and bronze on the final day of the competition.

Yogeshwar and Babita Kumari won a gold each in men's 65kg and women's 55kg while Geetika Jhakar bagged a silver in women's 63kg. Pawan Kumar then bagged a bronze in men's 86kg at the SECC here.

India had scooped three gold on the opening day of the competition and then endured a tough day yesterday when four grapplers lost in the finals.

With today's tally, India ended the event with five gold, six silver and a couple of bronze medals.

Yogeshwar used his trademark 'fitele' (leg-twisting) technique to great effect in all the four bouts he fought today. In the final against Jevon Balfour of Canada, Yogeshwar was at his best as he did not allow his opponent any chance to attack him.

As soon as the bout began, Yogeshwar pounced on his opponent and got a chance to employ his leg-twisting technique but the Canadian resisted and the referee blew his whistle.

Yogeshwar got just two technical points from that but the Indian soon got a chance to go for the kill and he did let that opportunity go waste.

The Indian pinned down his opponent after a brief lull and grabbed the legs of the Canadian and rolled himself over and over again on the mat before the referee stopped the bout after the London Olympics bronze medallist had taken a 10-0 technical point lead. Yogeshwar won the bout 4-0 on points.

His victory triggered a wild celebration by the packed crowd with spectators waving the tri-colour in the presence of top Indian officials and double Olympic medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar.

"I was expecting a tough fight from the Canadian but it was my day. I came well-prepared and I am happy to be part of a spectacular show by the Indian wrestlers. These are great days for Indian wrestling," said Yogeshwar.