Hussain wins first CWG gold for Pakistan

The wrestler beat Welson of Nigeria in the final in the freestyle wrestling 55kg event on Day 7.


Afp October 10, 2010

NEW DELHI: Azhar Hussain of Pakistan won the Commonwealth Games freestyle wrestling 55kg gold here on Sunday, beating Ebikewenimo Welson of Nigeria in the final.

Hussain gave an impressive performance of clever footwork and brute strength to take Welson out in two sessions.

The fighters looked evenly matched, going to their corners at 3-3 after the hooter ended the first session. But Hussain produced a mesmerising mix of clinical and aggressive grappling to overwhelm his opponent in the second taking the victory by fall after one minute and 18 seconds.

Hussain had earlier disappointed the partisan crowd by ensuring that India would not get a chance of winning all four golds available in the last session of the tournament by beating Anil Kumar in a tense quarterfinal battle.

He progressed to the final after pinning Sri Lankan S Manel Kumara Yaparathna Mudeyanselage after just 28 seconds of their semi. Kumar gave the loyal home support something to cheer about when he took the bronze, beating Craig Pilling of Wales 3-0.

Earlier this week, Hussain won Pakistan's first silver medal at the CWG 2010 in the 55kh freestyle wrestling event where he was beaten by his Indian counterpart Rajendar Kumar.

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