CWG 2018 | Gaurav Solanki shows big heart in Gold Coast to win Gold in the 52 kg category
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Indian boxer Gaurav Solanki fought hard against Irish boxer Brendan Irvine to secure a Gold in the 52 kg category at the 2018 Gold Coast CWG after he beat his opponent 5-0. After Indian boxer Mary Kom won the first Gold in boxing for India, Amit Panghal and Gaurav Solanki added to the tally.
Commonwealth Games debutant Gaurav Solanki was proven to be a revelation in this year’s tournament as he ran riot in the final against his North Irish opponent Brendan Irvine to secure India its 20th gold medal with a unanimous 5-0 verdict.
Solanki was on the offense from the start of the bout as he completely dominated the first two rounds to go 2-0 up against Irvine, before the latter fought back in the final round. Solanki was eventually awarded the bout by a 4:1 split decision from the judges.
Solanki put in a much-improved performance in the final, as compared to the semifinal, where he recovered admirably from two knockdowns against Sri Lanka's Vidanalange Ishan Bandara. Solanki ended the match with the score 29-28, 30-25, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28.
Earlier in the day, Indian legend Mary Kom won a Gold when she beat Northern Ireland's Kristina O'Hara 5-0 via unanimous decision to claim the Gold medal. The five-time world champion won 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, 30-27, 20-27 to win India’s first boxing Gold of the day.
