Vinesh, Sakshi book CWG berths after emerging victorious in trials

Sonam, who recovered from a left leg injury, had made it a habit of beating the 2016 Olympic bronze medallist at the WFI trials but the day belonged to Sakshi, who beat the young wrestler 8-1.

File image of Sakshi Malik

World championships bronze medallist Vinesh Phogat, Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik and Worlds silver medallist Anshu Malik were the most prominent names among the women wrestlers who won the selection trials to make it to the Commonwealth Games bound Indian side.

In the trials held at Lucknow on Monday, two-time Commonwealth Games champion Vinesh – who had a right elbow surgery last year after her disappointing performance in the Tokyo Olympics – defeated four wrestlers, including Antim with a score line of 3-3 via criteria in the final, to stake her claim in 53kg on her return.

Sakshi beat Sanju Devi, Kusum, young Olympian Sonam Malik and old rival Manisha (7-3 in the final) to get selected in 62kg.

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Anshu had no problems in getting the better of her opponents to take the 57kg slot.

Divya Kakran, a Commonwealth Games and Asian Games bronze medallist and a former Asian champion, also returned to action after her marriage and defeated Sonika Hooda, Naina, Radhika and Nisha Dahiya (10-0 in the final) to get picked in 68kg.

“This is a strong squad. We expect medals in every weight. We are capable of winning at least four gold medals,” said chief coach Jitender Yadav.

The men's trials will be held on Tuesday.

The squad: 50kg: Pooja Gehlot 53kg: Vinesh Phogat 57kg: Anshu Malik 62kg: Sakshi Malik 68kg: Divya Kakran 76kg: Pooja