Bajrang Punia defends title, Sakshi Malik reverses losing trend to earn maiden CWG gold as six wrestlers win medals on Friday

Commonwealth Games on Friday. Deepak Punia (86kg) also contributed in swelling India's medal tally by winning the men's freestyle gold but birthday girl Anshu Malik (57kg) had to be content with a silver medal in her maiden CWG appearance.

Divya Kakran clinched a bronze in 68kg, winning the medal play-off in just 26 seconds against Tonga's Tiger Lily. Courtesy three golds, India moved to fifth position in the medal tally ahead of Scotland. Such was Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang's dominance in the 65kg competition that he won three of his four bouts inside the first rounds.

The 28-year-old defending champion beat Naurau's Lowe Bingham and Mauritius' Jean Guyliane Joris Bandou 'by fall' before winning by technical superiority against England's Geroge Ramm. Canada's Lachlan Maurice McNeil fought well against Bajrang but the Indian was far superior in technique and stamina as he won the bout 9-2. Bajrang has been struggling to play freely since last year and his over defensive tactics put a question-mark over his ability to extend his dominance in the international arena but on Friday he made his moves without inhibition. However, the CWG is not the best platform to judge if Bajrang has got his mojo back because of the inferior field quality. Sakshi reverses trend, wins after trailingFor Sakshi, who has been battling for relevance for long, it was an ideal opportunity to get some confidence back and she used it to optimum level in the 62kg contest by winning her maiden CWG gold. She began by pinning home team wrestler Kelsey Barnes and followed that with a technical superiority win against Cameroon's Berthe Emilienne.

In the final against Ana Paula Godinez Gonzalez, Sakshi trailed 0-4 after the Canadian scored