CWG 2022 Day 8 Highlights: Bajrang, Deepak, Sakshi win gold in wrestling

The Indian wrestling contingent performed exceptionally. It won six medals which included three gold, one silver and two bronze medals. The Indian women's hockey team though lost controversially in the semi-final against Australia. The Indian team was done in by the time-keeper in the penalty shoot-out as after the first save from Savita Punia, it was decided that the time clock was not running and Australia was given a re-shoot. 

Three wrestlers fetch gold for India

Bajrang Punia and Deepak Punia faced no problems at all as they raced their way to the gold in their respective categories of Men’s 65 kg and 86 kg freestyle. Sakshi Malik played a tremendous game as she fought back from being 0-4 down to go 4-4 all and then win by pinfall against her Canadian opponent. 

Apart from these three gold medals, India also won a silver courtesy of Anshu Malik who put in a great fight in the final against the Nigerian Commonwealth Champion, losing 4-6. Mohit Grewwal and Divya Kakran won bronze medals. 

Indian Women’s Hockey team face Australia in Semis

The Indian Women’s hockey team lost a controversial final as after being 0-1 down for the first three quarters, it got to 1-1 and ten defended bravely to save nine penalty corners from Australia. In the Shoot Out or sudden death, India’s captain and goalkeeper Savit Punia saved the first Australian attempt and Australia’s morale looked down. 

However, umpires said that the shot will be retaken as the time clock was not running. India lost confidence, Australia gained it and shot three shots on target straightway while India missed it all, losing the game 0-3 in the shootout. It will now face New Zealand for the bronze medal. 

Hima Das loses, men’s relay team qualifies 
 

While Hima Das, the biggest athletics hope lost in the semi-final of the Women’s 200-metre race, the Men’s 4x400 Mrelay team did make it to the final. Hima finished third in her heat but missed out on a place in the final because half a second as she was not among the best two from the rest of the third finishers. 

India secured medals in Para TT and Lawn Bowls

It was another historic day for the game of Lawn Bowls in India as, after the success of the Women’s Fours team which won gold, the Men’s Fours team came from behind and beat home favourites England in the semi-final to secure another medal for India. The Fours team was trailing 10-12 till the second last End but won the game 13-12. 

India’s Bhavina Patel, a Paralympic gold medalist breezed into the gold medal match of Para-Table Tennis and secured another medal for India. In total, India finished with nine gold, 8 silver and 9 bronze medals at the end of Day 8 in Birmingham.