After a low-key beginning, India significantly improved its performance in the Asian Wrestling championships in Delhi on Friday, with the top grapplers living up to expectations and winning their respective bouts.
While Palwinder Singh Cheema won both his bouts to become a strong contender for a final berth in 120 kg men freestyle category, Gurbinder Singh secured a final berth in the 66 kg Greco-Roman category.
Palwinder, who had to fight hard for his win against Mongolia's Gankhuyag Dorjpalam, took only 45 seconds to floor Taipei's Huang Chun Sheng.
Earlier, in the morning session, Gurbinder got a walk-over in his third bout and moved into the final.
India can hope for another medal when Kripa Shankar Patel, who yesterday complained of bias in his own country, vies for a bronze in the 55kg freestyle.
In the women's category, Gitika Jakhar emerged a strong contender for gold in the 67 kg category. In the same weight category, Kiran Sihag will take on Japan's Norie Saito.
The two contenders for the bronze medal are Gurusharan Preet Kaur and Kamini Yadav.
In the 55 kg Greco-Roman category final, Baufa Hjamis of Iran will take on his Korea's Imdawon.
Sushil Kumar won a tough second bout 7-6 against Jung Hung Ho of Korea in the 60 kg freestyle category, while Sujit Mann's victory over Pham Thanh Quyet came 19 seconds before the scheduled end.
In other bouts, Virender Singh registered a 5-1 win against Djuraev Dilshod of Uzbekistan after losing, 3-5 to Park Wie of Korea in the 120 kg Greco-Roman category.
But Ravinder Singh, who dominated in the earlier bout, lost to Uzbek wrestler Hudoy Ber Dievasliddin 1-9 in the 60 kg category.
On the other hand, India's Satish Kumar lost both his bouts today in the 96 kg Greco-Roman category.
In 96 kg freestyle category, Jagdish Kali Raman, who surrendered 3-6 to Korea's Koo Hak Ja earlier in the day, came back strongly to overpower Brahm Dev Yadav of Nepal in his second bout.
In the women's freestyle, Japanese grapplers got the better of Indians in the 51 and 59 kg class. While Renu Bala lost to Nimako Hattar in the 51 kg bout, Alka Tomar was no match for Rena Iwamo in the 59 kg.
Later the two Indians lost their bouts to their Mongolian opponents. After Emkmjargal's beat Renu by a technical fall verdict Alka was humiliated by Magmar Suren Tumen 7-0.
In the women's section, Githikha Jakhar maintained her winning spree, registering her third consecutive victory over Rasulova Murasawa of Kyrgystan in the 63 kg category.
