PANAJI
Yutika Satarkar won Goa's fourth medal at the ongoing 36th National Games in Gujarat, clinching a bronze in Mallakambh individual event on Tuesday.
Yutika finished third in individual apparatus (rope) open category with a score of 9.05 at Sanskardham Ground, Ahmedabad. Maharashtra's Rupali Gangawane won the gold with a score of 9.25 ahead of second-placed Sidhi Gupta (9.2) of Madhya Pradesh. There were three more bronze medallists as V Sangeetha of Tamil Nadu, Radha Rajput of Uttar Pradesh and Neha Kshirsagar of Maharashtra also scored 9.05.
Meanwhile, Goan boxer Pushpender Rathee settled for a bronze to take the State's medal tally to five medals - all bronze, which places it 30th in the medal tally. Rathee lost his semifinal 0-5 in middleweight category against Malaswmitluanga of Mizoram.
Pushpender, who was in good form after having his training at Army Sports Institute, Pune, was swift but each time he scored, the hard hitter from Mizoram packed a combination of punches to get the better of the Goan. Rathee's ability to dodge punches through ducking and foot movement was impressive along with his endurance and stamina.
"I tried my best, but I am sure to better this when Goa hosts the National Games. All my peers will also get medals for Goa," Rathee said.
Rathee will continue his training at Salvador do Mundo Boxing Hall after returning to Goa as the Elite Men's Nationals are slated for December this year in Haryana. Goa Amateur Boxing Association has announced a cash prize for the bronze medallist and the three coaches.
Goa's three other medals came in aquatics, beach volleyball and gymnastics. Abhijit Nimbalkar won Goa's first medal when he finished third in trampoline gymnastics. Swimmer Shrungi Bandekar won Goa's second bronze with a podium finish in 200m individual medley. Men's beach volleyball pair of Rama Dhawaskar and Aaron Pereira were targeting the first gold medal for the State but narrowly lost in the semifinals. The duo beat statemates Nitin Sawant and Sarvesh Naik in the third place match to earn Goa's third medal at the Games.
