Asian Junior Wrestling: Gold for Mangal

Promising young grappler Mangal Kadyan claimed India's first gold medal in the Asian Junior Wrestling Championship in Phuket, Thailand on Saturday.

India also won two silver and a bronze in other weight categories.

Mangal thrashed Mostafa Yaghoubizeleti of Iran 8-0 in the final of the 50kg freestyle category, while in the 120kg freestyle, Surjeet won bronze by flooring China's Xinmen Du 10-2 at the Saphan Hin Indoor Sports Complex.

Mamta Rani (48kg) and Manisha Mahadev Divekar (72kg) had to settle for silver each after losing in the finals of their respective weight categories of the female division.

Mamata lost to Yuka Yago of Japan 0-8 in a one-sided affair, while Manisha (72kg) too did not pose any challenge to China's Kunming Wang and went down tamely 0-5.

Indian female wrestlers finished second behind Japan in the team rankings of the championships.

Indians have bagged 12 medals in the competition so far -- one gold, three silver and eight bronze.