Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat handed an exemplary start to her first bout as wrestling events got underway at the Olympics 2024 in Paris. As the draw sheets were out, it was learnt that Phogat was in for a test in the women’s 50kg freestyle round of 16 as her opponent would be Japan’s Yui Susaki-the champion of Tokyo 2020 and a power center in the wrestling arena. The fact that Phogat managed to put her bout back on course was a stunning twist of events that reflected her resilience and tactical acumen.
Vinesh Phogat Stages a Comeback out of the Blue on Yui Susaki
An underdog coming into the bout, Phogat was down early after giving up two penalty points for passivity. But showing plenty of grit and tenaciousness, Phogat flipped the script in the final seconds. With just seconds remaining, she completed a first-class move that brought home three valuable points and clinched the bout 3-2. Despite a review by Susaki in an attempt to see whether the final move was legitimate or not, referees confirmed the victory to Phogat as part of her stunning comeback, booking a spot for her in the quarterfinals.
The greater context of Phogat’s triumph was against the highly expected Susaki-a reigning Olympic champion, a three-time world champion, and the current Asian champion in the 50kg freestyle category. Many said she would manage only a bronze, at best, as an expected loss in her opening bout. Instead, she produced probably the best fight of her career, beating the Tokyo 2020 gold medalist and showing what she is capable of to attain Olympic glory.
The Road Ahead for Vinesh Phogat
In the quarterfinals, he is pitted against Oksana Livach of Ukraine, a 2019 European Champion. Aggressive and tactically shrewd, Livach is another big obstacle in Phogat’s path. The result of Phogat defeating Livach would not only advance him into the semifinals, guaranteeing him at least a silver medal with the opportunity to contest for gold.
Later in the evening, Phogat will compete against the Cuban semifinalist Yusneylis Guzman Lopez. A victory will ensure that she walks away with at least a silver medal. But defeat will throw her into the bronze medal playoff rounds. It will be a good test of how Phogat sustains her performance under pressure in the evening session.
Indian Wrestling Contingent at the Paris Olympics
Earlier in the schedule, yet another Indian wrestler in the form of Nisha Dahiya bowed out of the Olympic campaign after an action-packed encounter in the women’s 68kg category. Dahiya had looked so promising, leading 8-2 against North Korea’s Pak Sol Gum before going down 10-8. If the defeat was not shocking enough, the injury seemed to have worsened with many medical timeouts given to her, which allowed Sol Gum to make a victorious comeback. Still, Dahiya’s performance in the previous rounds was encouraging. In the round of 16, she had trailed 4-1 before defeating Tetiana Sova 6-4, making a worthy Olympics debut-a quarterfinal appearance no less.
It is a motley mix that has made it to Paris as far as the Indian wrestling contingent at the Olympics is concerned. The list, apart from Phogat, who will be in action in the women’s 50kg category, is an exciting mix of young and experienced wrestlers. Antim Panghal will take part in the women’s 53kg category. She booked her Olympic berth with a bronze in the Asian Games and one more in the World Championships. Her performance in Paris will be followed with interest as she gears up to add to the two successes.
The country’s first-ever Commonwealth Games silver medallist Anshu Malik also makes her Olympic debut in the women’s 57kg category. Malik is touted as one of the most technical, competitive wrestlers the country has produced, and he will look to go all guns blazing on his Olympic debut. She will be joined by U-23 world champion Reetika Hooda, who will wrestle in the women’s 76kg category. With a good overall junior record, Hooda is one to keep an eye on among the seniors.
Aman Sehrawat is the representative of India in men’s 57kg freestyle. Coming out of his comfort zone to try his hand in this category, Sehrawat has the experience and skill to bring home a bronze medal in the Asian Games. Much of the success story of India in the men’s wrestling competition depends upon how well Sehrawat performs.
India has an extravagant Olympic wrestling history, winning a total of seven medals: two silver and five bronze. And this current lot of wrestlers is all set to further the count and keep the country’s flag high in the wrestling sport. As the Paris Olympics unfolds further, performances by Phogat, Panghal, Malik, Hooda, and Sehrawat will be followed by the fans and analyst fraternity alike.
The result has set the benchmark high for Indian wrestling in the Paris Olympics. Fighting out a tough bout shows her preparatory work and determination. There is much left in the form of important matches, including the quarterfinal bout against Oksana Livach and potential semifinals. Phogat is looking promising to leave an indelible mark and take the wresting legacy of India to a whole new level.
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