CWG 2022 | Naveen delighted with Gold win over Pakistan’s Muhammad Tahir: I played with high intensity

India’s young prodigy wrestler Naveen expressed his happiness at winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on Saturday, saying that he played the bout with high intensity.

The teenager clinched India’s sixth gold in wrestling after beating Pakistan’s Muhammad Sharif Tahir 9-0 in the final of the men’s 74kg freestyle wrestling category.

Naveen, who was making his CWG debut at the ongoing games in Birmingham, won three of his bouts by technical superiority and fell just a point short of making it four in the final.

Speaking about the final bout against Tahir, the 19-year-old said he played with a free mind. The Indian wrestler said that when he got to know he was facing a Pakistani wrestler, he wanted to win India gold and fought with high intensity.

“I played with a free mind. When i got to know that I would face Pakistan in the final, I wanted to win India gold. So, I played with high intensity,” said Naveen.

When asked about he felt defeating a wrestler from Pakistan, Naveen said that he went out with only victory in his mind.

“When i got to know i will be facing a wrestler from Pakistan, I wanted to win. Even Deepak Punia defeated a Pakistan wrestler to win gold. So it was double delight for India,” said Naveen.

The Indian wrestling prodigy was asked about his preparations for the final and said that he had trained very well and was able to execute his plans to perfection. He also felt that he fought well in the bout.

“I trained very well. And according to the training I had undergone, I fought well in the bout,” said Naveen.

With Naveen’s win, the Indian wrestling contingent made it 12 out of 12 with six of the medals being gold.

— ENDS —