India‘s Yamini Mourya has earned a silver medal in the women’s 57kg judo event at the Commonwealth Games. The final match, held in Glasgow, saw Mourya compete against England‘s Acelya Toprak in a contest that extended into a golden score period.
Both judokas approached the match with an offensive mindset from the outset, each aiming to establish an early lead through aggressive techniques. Toprak made efforts to control the bout by attempting to force Yamini to the mat. However, the Indian judoka demonstrated strong defensive skills, successfully preventing Toprak from scoring while on the ground.
As the match progressed, Toprak maintained her offensive pressure, consistently challenging Yamini. The Indian athlete received a penalty from the referee during the contest. Despite the ongoing exchanges, neither competitor managed to secure a score by the halfway point of the four-minute regulation time.
Later in the regulation period, Toprak appeared to have scored after rolling Yamini over. However, the referees did not award any points for the move, determining that it had not originated from a standing position. With the scores remaining level at the conclusion of regulation time, the final proceeded to the golden score period, where the first point scored or a decisive penalty would determine the winner.
The extra-time segment of the match remained closely contested. Toprak nearly executed a throw on Yamini using an arm technique, but she was unable to complete the move. After approximately three minutes into the golden score period, Toprak’s persistent attacking efforts ultimately yielded a result. Yamini conceded the decisive score, leading to the English judoka being declared the winner by Ippon, and securing the silver medal for the Indian athlete.
Jadumani Singh advances to boxing final
In other Commonwealth Games action, Jadumani Singh delivered a commanding performance in his boxing semifinal, securing his place in the final. Singh faced Philip Haoseb of Namibia and made a confident start to the bout.
The initial moments of the match saw both boxers adopt a cautious approach, assessing each other’s style. Jadumani was the first to break the defensive stalemate, increasing his tempo with a precise left-right combination, which he followed with a series of sharp jabs. Haoseb attempted to counter with left jabs, but the Indian boxer showcased effective defence, evading danger and blocking incoming attacks with apparent ease. After a narrow miss with a right hand, Jadumani quickly adjusted his distance and landed his subsequent attempt cleanly. He concluded the round strongly, unleashing a flurry of punches that impressed the judges, who unanimously awarded him the opening round.
Jadumani Singh further solidified his control in the semifinal with another assured round, keeping Philip Haoseb consistently on the defensive. The Indian boxer entered the round with clear intent, immediately landing a crisp left-right combination to set the pace. Haoseb attempted to respond with his jab, but his punches lacked conviction and rarely posed a threat to Jadumani.
Demonstrating excellent ring awareness, Jadumani remained agile, consistently slipping away from danger and causing Haoseb to miss his shots repeatedly. The Namibian struggled to establish any rhythm, as the Indian boxer dictated the pace through intelligent movement and more precise punching. A lively exchange marked the end of the round, but the outcome was clear. Jadumani secured the second round, bringing him within one round of advancing to the Commonwealth Games final.
Jadumani Singh concluded his dominant performance to storm into the Commonwealth Games final, leaving Philip Haoseb with minimal opportunities throughout the entire bout. Haoseb came out aggressively in the final round, understanding the need for a significant turnaround. However, Jadumani maintained his composure and control, utilising his sharp footwork, slick defence, and accurate punching to remain in command.
The Indian boxer selected his shots effectively, making his opponent miss frequently while landing cleaner blows whenever openings arose. It was a polished and mature display from start to finish. Upon the final bell, the result was unequivocal. The judges unanimously awarded the bout to Jadumani, propelling the Indian boxer into the Commonwealth Games final and guaranteeing him at least a silver medal.
Source: m.rediff.com
Arjun Sharma
Sports Reporter