CWG 2022: Anshu Malik wins silver in women's 57 kg wrestling, India's tally now at 21

The Indian wrestling contingent is on fire as Anshu Malik grabbed a silver medal in the women's 57kg freestyle final on Friday at the Commonwealth Games 2022. She lost to Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroyeto of Nigeria to win the silver medal. This is India's first medal in wrestling in Birmingham.

Anshu Malik's road to CWG 2022 final

Despite the losing in the final, Anshu Malik's road to the gold medal match was nothing short of staggering. Before the final, the 20-year-old defeated both Australia's Irene Symeonidis and Sri Lanka's Nethmi Ahinsa Fernando Portuthotage by technical superiority. It was disappointing to see that she could not replicate a similar level of aggression and quality in the final.

Anshu, who has taken rapid strides in her career, reached the women's 57kg final with similar dominance but ended up second-best with a silver medal.

The Nidani wrestler, who turned 21 on Friday, won by technical superiority against Australia's Irene Symeonidis and Sri Lanka's Nethmi Ahinsa Fernando Poruthotage.

It did not take Anshu much time to measure her opponents. Her trademark aggression and quality was too hot to handle for her rivals till the gold bout.

The World Championship silver medallist though could not breach the defence of Nigeria's Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye, losing the gold bout 3-7. The Nigerian was strong with her defence and Anshu could not find a way to make her moves.

She left mat with tears in her eyes as it was not the birthday present she wanted to give herself.