CWG 2018

Commonwealth Games: India's Rahul Aware claims gold in wrestling

Babita Phogat won the silver medal in the women's 53kg category

Rahul Aware opened India's wrestling gold medal account Rahul Aware after winning the match against Canada's Steven Takahashi | PTI

Rahul Aware opened India's wrestling gold medal account at the 21st Commonwealth Games in the men's 57kg category after defeating Canada's Steven Takahashi in an exciting contest. This was the first Commonwealth Games medal of his career.

Aware was dominant right from the start, pulling off three two-points moves in the first round. He showed excellent prowess in the second round and went on to execute the 'fitlay' move, giving him an eight-point lead over Takahashi. 

Defending champion Babita Phogat (53kg) settled for a silver medal after being outmanoeuvred by Canada's Diana Weicker in the summit clash.

Babita, who claimed a silver in the 2010 edition of the Commonwealth Games before a gold in Glasgow, failed to break through her rival's defences, going down 2-5 in the contest.

Her medal opened India's account in the wrestling competition of the Games.