New Delhi: In the Asian Wrestling Championships, Sunil Kumar of India won the gold medal by defeating Ajat Salidinov of Kyrgyzstan 5-0 in the final of 87 kg category on Tuesday. Significantly, India’s 27-year drought has ended in the Greco-Roman category of wrestling. Meaning India won a gold medal in the Greco Roman category of wrestling 27 years ago.
Sunil, who went on to win the semi-finals, easily beat his opponent in the 87kg category final at the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium in Delhi. Earlier, Sunil was trailing 1-8 against Kazakhstan’s Ajamat Kustubayev in the semi-finals but then came back strongly to win 12–8 with 11 consecutive points.
Sunil also reached the finals of this competition in 2019 but had to be content with the silver medal due to defeat in the title match. Another Indian Arjun Halakurki also won a bronze medal in the 55kg event of the Greco Roman category. This is Arjun’s first senior international tournament and in his very first tournament Arjun has shown his talent by winning a medal.