INDIA dominates the Commonwealth Challenge Cup of Wrestling at the Muscat Festival

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Josip Mrkoci (Commonwealth Amateur Wrestling Association)
02/05/2005


Muscat, OMAN - February 5, 2005 - The second day of the wrestling competition of the Commonwealth Challenge Cup was held before some five thousand people at the Seeb Beach. The most anticipated match was between Canada and Great Britain. As there are a number of Russian expetriates on the Great Britain team it was a hard fought duel. Whichever team wins, they would face India in the Finals.    Canada overcame the British team by winning 3 matches to 2 matches. Canada now faced the Indian team in the finals. For the finals we saw some 8,000 people  anticipating a great wrestling duel of the Commonwealth top two wrestling nations. It was a partisan crowd mostly of Indians who work in great numbers in OMAN. Wrestling is quite popular in India and Pakistan.    In the preliminary rounds India just got by Canada by winning 3 matches to Canadas 2. This time it was totally different outcome as Shokinder Tomar at 66 kg  of India had to come from behind and win against Ryan Wecker of Canada. This match was a lead of things to come. India won all five weight classes.   They won the Commonwealth Challenge Cup.    The Cup was presented to the Indian team by high functionaries of the city of Muscat. There were also individual medals presented, Gold, Silver and Bronze as  result of the preliminary matches. India won 3 Golds and Canada 2 Golds.    Over all the wrestling on the beach on a wrestling mat under the blazing sun was an experience for the Canadians and English while Indians and South Africans handeled the weather better. The Omani people were very friendly and enjoed the Oympic Style of Wrestling at their Festival.    All of the athletes and coaches stated to the organizers that they would like to participate at this event next year.