Iranians hog limelight

Attack may be the best form of defence, but it doesn’t always pay. Gurvinder Singh learnt this home truth when he went down to Iran’s Zeid Vand Pariviz 1-8 in the final of the Greco-Roman 66 kg event and had to be content with the white metal on the penultimatte day of the Asian Wrestling Championships at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here today.

Two other Indians were also among the medals when Kripa Shankar defeated Bau Yezhan of Kazhakistan in 55kg freestyle and Kamini Yadav held on gamely in the 48 kg freestyle event against Phyam Timal of Vietnam.

But the day belonged to the Iranians as they finished top of the medal tally with four gold, one silver and a bronze and were followed by the Japanese, who had two gold and two silver.

Now the hope rests on Palvinder Singh Cheema in the 120kg freestyle tomorrow but he will be wary of Rezaeo Ali Reza, twice world champion, from Iran. Two more Indians are in the semifinals — Sushil Kumar (60 kg) and Sujit Mann (74 kg).