Batirov clinches gold for Bahrain
Manama : Bahrain’s Adam Batirov yesterday secured a gold medal for the kingdom following an 8-4 victory over host nation finalist Batyr Orazgylyjow of Turkmenistan at the Indoor Martial Arts Arena at the Fifth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, being held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
The 32-year- old Bahraini captured the men’s wrestling freestyle under-70kg weight category gold medal as Bahrain concluded its participation in the games, by winning 6-2 in the first period and maintaining the lead with a 2-2 score in the second period, as the games finish tomorrow.
The other medals won earlier by Bahrain were both in the jiu jitsu through Ali Monfaradi and Ahmed Shebeeb, who took the men’s under-77kg gold and bronze, respectively on September 18.
Prior to winning his gold medal, Batirov began his campaign in the Round of 16 with a 10-0 (10-0, 0-0) victory over the young American Samoan Daniel Helata Misaalefua and in the quarter finals fought out a 4-4 draw against Iran’s Dadashpourkerikalaei.
It was tough battle for Batirov as his 30-year old Iranian opponent reached the same stage thanks to an easy 10-0 win over Zuzhen Gulomdzhon Sharipov of Tajikistan.
Batirov headed into the bout knowing he had a much tougher task and the Iranian wrestler who entered competition as one of the top contenders, having won the Asian Championships in 2007 and the World Military Championship in 2013, showed overall strength in the first period and took four technical points to go up 4-0.
Batirov made a solid comeback in the second period and scored four straight points to level the scores. The bout ended 4-4 and the jury declared Batirov winner on points.
The semi-final was equally tough as Batirov (already guaranteed a bronze medal) took on Afghanistan’s Malik Jan Sadeed of Afghanistan and both wrestlers fought well and out for a shot at the gold medal, which ended 0-0 with Batirov adjudged the winner 4-0 on technical superiority.
Nine athletes spearheaded Bahrain in three sports disciplines – jiu jitsu, taekwondo and wrestling in the 12-day games, which comes to a close tomorrow at Ashgabat Olympic Stadium.
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