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Raut makes Games history

Last updated on: October 9, 2010 09:59 IST
India's Kavita Raut celebrates after claiming the bronze medal in the 10,000 metres event on Friday
Kavita Raut on Friday became the first Indian woman to win an individual medal in track events at the Commonwealth Games when she bagged the bronze in the 10,000m at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.

Raut clocked 33:05.28s to finish third.

Before her feat, the women's 4x400m relay team had won a silver in track events fours ago in Melbourne.

Incidentally, this is only the 10th medal for India in athletics in the history of the Commonwealth Games.

Women archers hit bullseye

Last updated on: October 9, 2010 09:59 IST
Indian archers Dola Banerjee, Deepika Kumari and Bombayala Devi (women's team recurve), with their gold medals at the presentation ceremony on Friday

The Indian women's recurve team of Dola Banerjee, Bombayala Devi Laishram and Deepika Kumari fought back brilliantly to cut a four-point lead and rally past their English opponents in the final round to clinch the gold medal.

The top-seed Indian men's team of Rahul Banerjee, Tarundeep Rai and Jayanta Talukdar were stunned by the Aussie trio of Matthew Gray, Mat Masonwells and Taylor 211-216 in the semi-finals.

But they made amends in the bronze play-off, beating England 221-218 for a podium finish.

Gagan Narang on a roll

Last updated on: October 9, 2010 09:59 IST
Gagan Narang and Imran Hasan Khan after winning their event on Friday

Gagan Narang's purple patch continued on Friday, as the ace marksman combined with Imran Hasan Khan to win the pairs 50-metre rifle 3 positions event.

The Indian duo beat England's James Huckle and Kenny Parr, scoring a Games record 2325 in the final at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range.

Later, Vijay Kumar won gold in the singles 25m rapid fire pistol (men) with a new Games record of 787.5.

Malaysia's Amir Hasan, who won the silver medal, was a distant second with a tally of 760.3 while Gurpreet Singh won the bronze with 758.7.

Women wrestlers swell medals tally

Last updated on: October 9, 2010 09:59 IST
Gold medallist Alka Tomar of India (centre), silver medallist Tonya Verbeek (left) of Canada and bronze medallist Tega Tosin Richard of Nigeria pose on the podium after their 59kg women's freestyle wrestling event on Friday

India's top woman wrestler Alka Tomar and young Anita won gold medals in the 59 kg and 67 kg freestyle categories respectively to make it a memorable day for the hosts.

With Geeta winning India's first gold in woman's wrestling on Thursday, Alka and Anita made it a hat-trick of gold medals.

While Alka outclassed Tonya Verbeek of Canada, Anita beat Megan Budyens of Canada, winning the first two rounds on points for a 4-0 win.

Wrestler Babita adds to India's medal haul

Last updated on: October 9, 2010 09:59 IST
India's Babita Kumari (red) challenges Nigeria's Christi Nwoye during their 51kg women's freestyle wrestling match on Friday

India got another medal courtesy Babita Kumari on Friday, who lost her 51 kg freestyle bout against Ifeoma Christi Nwoye of Nigeria 4-6.

India thus finished with six medals -- three gold, two silver and a bronze.

Meanwhile, in gymnastics, Ashish Kumar continued from where he left off on Thursday. He bettered his showing, winning silver in the vault category of artistic gymnastics.

Indian hockey eves inject hope into their campaign

Last updated on: October 9, 2010 09:59 IST
Trinidad and Tobago captain Patricia Wright-Alexis (right) and India's Poonam Rani fight for the ball during their women's hockey group match on Friday

Captain Surinder Kaur scored four goals as India thrashed a hapless Trinidad and Tobago 7-0 in a pool A match to stay in the hunt for a semi-final spot in the women's hockey event.

Surinder fired home in the eighth, 30th, 37th and 54th minute while Ritu Rani (13th), Rani Rampal (34th) and Jasjeet Kaur Handa (68th) were the other goal-scorers for India.