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Tayla Ford picked up her second Commonwealth Games bronze medal with a fine display of wrestling in the women’s 68m division.

Ford, 29, was a bronze medallist at the 2014 Glasgow Games and, now at her third Games, seemed as good as ever.

She began her day with a comprehensive win in the 68kg division over Sarah Cossick of England 10-0 VSU, indicating victory by technical superiority with the opponent scoring no points. The bout lasted just 1min 46s.

Next up for Ford, a bronze medallist at Glasgow in 2014, was Canadian Linda Morais. This was a close and exciting bout.

Morais led 2-0 after the first period and the second period finished at 4-4 so that overall the Canadian won 6-4 VPO1, indicating the opponent did score points.

Ford then moved into a bronze medal bout against Amyleee Aza of Mauritius.

Ford wasn’t about to squander the opportunity to add to her medal collection and within 40 seconds the fight was over – victory to the New Zealander by a fall.

“I feel super proud,” she said later. “I did believe in myself. I felt confident physically and mentally, so it’s nice to have come through. I feel amazing.”

Fellow New Zealander Matthew Oxenham also fought for a bronze medal, but missed out at the last hurdle.

Oxenham didn’t make an auspicious beginning in the men’s 86kg division, losing his opening bout to accomplished Indian Deepak Punia 10-0 VSU in 3min 25s.

Punia build an 8-0 lead in the first period and quickly finished off the New Zealander in the second period.

Oxenham, 22, enjoyed better fortunes in his repechage match against Sheku Kassegbama of Sierra Leone, scoring a 3-1 VPO1 victory.

It was 1-1 after the first period and the New Zealander had the better of the second period, which he won 2-0.

In his bronze medal bout, Oxenham faced Andrew Moore of Canada, and found himself outclassed.

The bout was over after just 1min 02s of the first period as Moore accumulated points at a rapid rate to record a 10-0 VSU victory.

In the men’s 65kg division, New Zealand’s Brahm Richards, 25, lost to Ross Connelly of Scotland 10-0 VSU.

The Scot led 6-0 after the first period and completed the victory after 4min 2s.

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
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