Vinesh Phogat puts on perfect display in Rome
The Indian wrestler did not concede a point at the Matteo Pellicone tournament as she backed up her triumph in Ukraine, while Canada's Amarveer Dhesi also took victory.
Wrestling
Vinesh Phogat was in unstoppable form at the Matteo Pellicone wrestling tournament in Rome, Italy.
India's 2019 World Championship bronze medallist, won the 53kg category without giving up a single point in the competition.
Phogat, who has already qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games took just 42 seconds to pin Samantha Stewart in the semi-finals before defeating another Canadian, Diana Weicker, in the final.
A takedown and a double leg had Phogat 4-0 up at the break against Weicker and she defended her lead tenaciously to win by that scoreline.
Phogat beat European champion Vanesa Kaladzinskaya to take victory in Ukraine last weekend after a year out of competition, and looks a genuine medal hope for India at the Games in Japan this summer.
Canada's Amarveer Dhesi claims 125kg title
Amarveer Dhesi, another wrestler with his ticket punched to Tokyo, looked in fine form too, picking up a Matteo Pellicone winner's medal despite losing his final matchup.
Dhesi was victorious in three bouts against India's Sumit Malik (4-4), USA's Anthony Nelson (3-0), and Kazakh wrestler Oleg Boltin (4-0).
While he also lost out to Yusup Batirmurzaev of Kazakhstan by an 11-0 scoreline, his three earlier wins were enough to take him to the top of the podium.
USA revel in Rome
It was a great day too for U.S. wrestling: Victoria Anthony, Abby Nette, and Kollin Moore all putting in podium-topping performances in the eternal city.
Abby Nette topped the podium at 59kg, dominating Kazakh grappler Diana Kayumova (KAZ) 6-0 in the final.
Kollin Moore overpowered three-time World medallist Alireza Karimimachani from Iran in the 97kg division 3-3, and Victoria Anthony overcame 2020 European champ Miglena Selishka from Bulgaria in an epic 50kg tussle.
Anthony took an early 6-1 lead after a nice takedown but Selishka fought back, drawing level at 9-9 with a trap and an exposure over the shoulder before Anthony regained the upper hand to win 15-10.
And in men's freestyle 92kg U23 World silver medalist Kollin Moore had a huge win against Iranian three-time world silver medalist Alireza Karimimachani at 97kg.
Moore held out at 3-3 with a stunning defensive display, scoring a double and a takedown to win on criteria.
Elsewhere Gaukhar Mukatay of Kazakhstan defeated Italy's Veronica Braschi 8-0 in their 65kg final bout, and Ecuador's Jacqueline Mollocano Eleno downed Italian Ambra Campagna 8-0 in the women's 55kg final.