CWG 2018: Lifter Yadav wins gold; Mary Kom enters semis

Gold Coast (Australia): India is on a winning spree in the 21st edition of the Commonwealth Games, CWG 2018 with weightlifters continuing to dominate the competition.

Sunday started off well, watching Indian women players putting up their best shows, as lifter Punam Yadav won 'Gold' in the women's 69 kilogram category while Veteran Indian star MC Mary Kom entered the semi-finals of the women's 48 kilogram boxing competition.

Yadav's win:

Yadav lifted a total of 222 kg which included 100 kg in snatch and 122 kig in clean and jerk.

England's Sarah Davies took silver with 217 kg, while Apolonia Vaivai of Fiji lifted 216 kg for the bronze.

Yadav started slowly, lifting 95 kg in her opening attempt. However, Vaivai registered 97 kg to take the lead after the completion of the opening attempts.

She lifted 98 kg in her second attempt but Vaivai maintained the lead with 100 kg.

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The lifter, however, did not look convincing at the start of the clean and jerk phase. She struggled to lift 118 kg in her first attempt which gave her the lead but, failing at 122 kg in her second attempt put her in a spot of bother.

The Indian equalled that in her third and last attempt and Vaivai's failure to lift 103 meant both lifters ended the snatch phase at the joint top spot.

Yadav recovered to lift 122 kg in her third attempt and Vavai's failure at that same weight put the Indian in the leading position for the gold and Davies then made a brave attempt at the gold with a final attempt of 128 kg. But her attempt proved futile as she failed to lift that weight, sparking celebrations in the Indian camp.

It is to be mentioned that, this the fifth gold medal for India at this year's CWG. Mirabai Chanu, Sanjita Chanu, Sathish Sivalingam and Venkat Rahul Ragala had earlier emerged champions in their respective categories.

Mary Kom's entry into Semis:

Mary Kom entered the semi-finals of the 21st Commonwealth Games with a convincing victory over Megan Gordon of Scotland.

The five-time world champion dominated her 18-year-old opponent throughout the one-sided quarter-final to claim a unanimous 5-0 verdict at the Oxenford Boxing studios.

Her entry into the last four stage confirms a bronze medal for Mary Kom.

Although she has world titles and an Olympic bronze in her trophy cabinet, Mary was yet to win a medal at the CWG until this year's edition.

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Mary Kom started slowly, taking her time to gauge her opponent, although she did land a couple of solid blows.

The Manipuri legend landed a flurry of punches in the closing seconds of the opening round to force her opponent on to the ropes.

Mary upped the ante in the second round, picking up the pace as she peppered Megan with powerful blows.

The third and last round followed a similar script with Mary pummelling her opponent with quick combinations.

Megan fought bravely as she absorbed the punches and tried to hit back on the counter, but she was no match for the veteran Indian.

--Inputs from IANS