Wrestlers grab podium finishes for Pakistan

The wrestlers proved to be the backbone of the Pakistani contingent at the Commonwealth Games as they bagged three medals: Muhammad Inam and Zaman Anwar earned silver medals while Inayatullah took a bronze medal on Friday.

Zaman grabbed the silver medal after he lost to Canada’s Amarveer Dhesi 9-2 in the final of the heavyweight category of 125kg freestyle.

He had earlier outclassed Mauritius’ Kensley Anthony Marie 12-0 in the quarter-final before beating England’s Mandhir Kooner 5-0 in the semi-final.

Inam, who won gold medals in 2010 and 2018, lost the final of the 86kg freestyle event to India’s Deepak Punia 3-0 and settled for silver medal.

He had outplayed Scotland’s Kieran Malone 11-0 in the round of 16, followed by Australia's Jayden Lawrence 8-3 in the quarter-final and South Africa’s Edward Lessing 5-3 in the semi-final.

Inayat was flying high in the competition when he first outclassed Malta’s Adam Vela 10-0 in the round of 16, then outplayed Nigeria’s Amas Daniel 4-0 in the quarterfinal, but lost to Canada's Lachlan McNeil 11-0 in the semi-final.

But he managed to reclaim his focus in the fight for bronze medal in 65kg.

Pakistan’s medal tally now is one gold, two silver and two bronze medals.