Wrestler Babita Phogat won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games on Thursday, taking India’s overall medals tally to 26. The Glasgow Commonwealth Games champion was competing against Canada's Diana Weicker in the final of the 53kg Women's freestyle. Babita put up a good performance, but failed to overcome Weicker’s dominance and lost 3-1.
Babita Kumari won India's first wrestling medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
This is Babita's third consecutive medal at Commonwealth Games. The Haryana wrestler had clinched the silver medal in the 2010 Delhi CWG in 51 kg weight class. She bagged a gold medal in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 55 kg weight class.
Babita started her medal quest well. She beat Bose Samuel of Nigeria in her opening bout, which she won 2-1. She started in attacking mode but the stronger Nigerian took 2-1 lead in the second half. In the second bout, she challenged Deepika Dilhani of Sri Lanka. The Glasgow CWG gold medalist trapped her into shoulder blades and eventually became a win by fall, a rare event at this global stage.
The release of Aamir Khan-starrer, Bollywood film ‘Dangal’,was just the right tonic to fuel the ambitions of the Phogat sisters. After the movie’s worldwide success, Geeta and Babita Phogat became role models for youngsters.
The Commonwealth gold medallists launched a wrestling academy in Bengaluru, aiming to brighten the chances of girls who want to follow in their footsteps.
Heartiest Congratulations, Babita!
Also Read: Years After String of Feats, Wrestler Family Fights For Their Due
Feature Image Credit: ESPN
Also Read: Years After String of Feats, Wrestler Family Fights For Their Due
Also Read: Dangal depicts the story of a wrestler himself who mentored her both daughters Geeta Babita to win the championships
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