Date:08/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/08/stories/2008120856661600.htm

Sport - Wrestling

Geetika Jakhar defies injury to grab gold

Sports Reporter

— Photo: Sandeep Saxena

In control: Geetika Jakhar (left) has Geeta in her grip in their 63kg freestyle bout on Sunday.

NAWABGANJ: Geetika Jakhar defied a nagging back injury to recapture the 63kg women’s title in the 53rd National wrestling championship at the Nandini Nagar College sports complex here on Sunday.

The Arjuna Award winner overcame a strong challenge from Geeta to win the final on points. In the contest which lasted for two rounds, Geeta repeatedly attacked Geetika’s legs and tried to push her out of the ring.

But the experienced wrestler showed her superb skills and presence of mind to turn the table on her opponent.

"I did not allow Geeta to succeed. I was feeling the pain because of my tail-bone injury, but I am happy to have won the gold again after a year," said the 2006 Asian Games silver medallist.

Sonika regains title

In another thrilling title clash, Sonika, who last won the title in 2003 and had been nursing an injury, pipped Gursharanpreet Kaur of Punjab for the women’s 72kg gold.

After the contest was levelled, the Delhi grappler made some incredible moves in the decider to snatch victory. "In the last round I was not in a position to make any move. But I did something which was not conventional and it clicked," she said.

Considered as a promising youngster, Mausam Khatri upset defending champion Anil Mann to take the 96kg freestyle gold.

Olympian Rajeev Tomar had no problem in winning the 120kg freestyle gold as he got walkover from an injured Joginder in the final.

Earlier, he convincingly defeated Bijender Singh (Jammu and Kashmir), Vijay Pal (West Bengal) and Satender (Chandigarh) to reach the final.

Devender disqualified

The last competition of the championship, however, left a bitter taste in the mouth as Devender was disqualified from the 120kg Greco-Roman final after verbally abusing the officials.

"He was warned and disqualified and his opponent Dharmander Dalal won the gold medal. However, Devender will get the silver," the tournament director, Raj Singh, said.

Railways extended its grip over the Nationals by retaining its championship in freestyle and dethroning Services from the top spot in Greco-Roman category. Haryana maintained its influence in women’s competition to hold its title.

The medallists: Freestyle: Men: 96kg: Gold: Mausam Khatri (Har-A), Silver: Anil Mann (RSPB-A), Bronze: Narender (RSPB-B), Rakesh Patel (RSPB-B).

120kg: Gold: Rajeev Tomar (RSPB-A), Silver: Joginder (Del), Bronze: Vijay Pal (WB), Rohit Patel (MP).

Women: 63kg: Gold: Geetika Jakhar (Har-A), Silver: Geeta (Har-B), Bronze: Rajani (UP-A), Pramila (MP).

72kg: Gold: Sonika (Del-A), Silver: Gursharanpreet Kaur (Pun), Bronze: Meenakshi (Har-A), Babita Singh (UP-A).

Greco-Roman: Men: 96kg: Gold: Anil (Har), Silver: Satish Kumar (Del), Bronze: Mahipal (RSPB-B), Ashok Kumar (SSCB-B).

120kg: Gold: Dharmender Dalal (RSPB-A), Silver: Devender (SSCB-B), Bronze: Rishipal (Del), Rakesh Hooda (RSPB-B).

Team championships: Freestyle: Men: Railways (59), Haryana (43), Delhi (40). Women: Haryana (65), Uttar Pradesh (47), Delhi (36). Greco-Roman: Railways (49), Services (42), Delhi (37).