Cole Hawkins had a busy time of it in the men’s 74kg wrestling competition.
Los Angeles-based Hawkins opened his day with a good win over Kenyan Mathayo Mahabila 8-3 VPO1, indicating technical superiority over an opponent who also scored points.
Hawkins led 4-1 after the first period and won the second period 4-2.
The name of Hawkins is well familiar to New Zealand wrestling followers. His father Graeme represented New Zealand at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and is now a leading coach. His mother, Colleen Sheldon represented New Zealand at taekwondo world championships.
Cole Hawkins, who hails from Levin, won his next match, a quarter-final, 9-3 VPO1. He trailed 0-3 after the first period, but totally turned things round in the second period, which he won 9-0.
Into the semi-finals, Hawkins found himself outclassed by slick Pakistani Muhammad Tahir and lost 11-0 VSU, indicating victory by technical superiority with the opponent scoring no points. The first period ended with Tahir leading 3-0 and he won the second period 8-0.
Hawkins was still in the reckoning for a bronze medal but was beaten by Canadian Jasmit Phulk 11-1 VSU1, with all the action taking place in the first period.
Hawkins, who has previously represented New Zealand at canoe polo, finished the day just missing a medal, but for someone who has been wrestling seriously for only two years, he offered glimpses of promise.
In the women’s 76kg, Michelle Montague had a close bout with Indian Pooja Sihag, but eventually went down 5-3 VPO2. She was down 1-0 after the first period and Sihag won the second period 4-3.
Suraj Singh, competing in the men’s 57kg division, lost his first bout to Indian Kumar Ravi 10-0 VSU. The action lasted just 1min 14s.
Later Singh took part in a bronze medal match against Pakistani Ali Asad, but lost 11-0 in 55 seconds.
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