UPDATED: Arjun Gill wins gold at Commonwealth Games – Photos of return to Vancouver

 

52606surreywGlasgow_2014_DG_17735a-520x378ARJUN Gill, 23, of Surrey won the gold medal in the men’s 97 kg freestyle wrestling final over Satywart Kadian of India by decision in the final after the match finished tied 4-4.

“It was tough, really tough,” Gill told the media. “(Kadian) moves his hands really well so it’s hard to score.”

Commonwealth Games Canada reported: “In the 97kg weight-class Arjun Gill wrestled against Hugh Mccloskey of Northern Ireland in the Quarter finals. Although Mccloskey did manage a throw for 4 points, Gill was quick to create momentum and the match ended 16-5.

“In the semi-final match, Gill fought Sam Belkin of New Zealand for the chance to wrestle for gold. Gill received the first two points with an attempt to push his opponent from the ring. Gill ended by winning 14-1.

“In the gold medal match, Gill met Satywart Kadian from India. In a close bout and with the score 4-2 for the Indian wrestler, Gill pushed Kadian from the ring, Gill tied it up and was fought on to win. The Indian wrestling community present were amazed and somewhat shocked. Gill had done his job.”

““This means a lot; it means a lot to my family, it means a lot to me, it means a lot to Canada,” said a quiet Gill.”

 

WRESTLING ARJUN GILL RETURN 2014 1ARJUN’S mom Kuljit Gill told The VOICE she was “very happy,” when asked how she felt about her son’s victory.

When asked if their family had been confident that he would get a gold medal, she replied: “No, we were not. We were not. No. … Because it’s a competition, right? You can’t just say ‘Oh, yeah, my kid’s going to get a gold medal.’ And it was a very tough competition if you watched the match [on a wrestling channel on the Internet].”

She spoke about her son’s dedication to wrestling.

Arjun will be back home on Monday.

 

 

WRESTLING ARJUN GILL RETURN 2014 2ARJUN is one of seven male wrestlers who were selected to represent Canada at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

According to Wrestling Canada, “Gill enjoys outdoor activities and remembers winning the recent 2014 National Championships as his career highlight to date. Gill used to be coached by the late Randeep Sodhi, national and international wrestling champion who won gold at the 1997 Commonwealth Championships.”

Last March, The VOICE noted: “Back in 2010 [Sodhi] said this about Gill: “Arjun is an athletic and explosive wrestler. Success at the junior and senior level will depend on his work ethic over the next few years. He definitely has the skills to do well at 96 kg.” Gill has proved to be consistent.”

 

 

WRESTLING ARJUN GILL RETURN 2014 3

 

 

Top photo courtesy Dan Galbraith, Commonwealth Games Canada / Arrival photos by CHANDRA BODALIA