Historic Achievement for Vinesh Phogat
Vinesh Phogat qualified into the final of the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling and thus assured herself of at least a silver medal from the Paris Olympics. History has been created as she now becomes the first Indian female wrestler to bring more than a bronze medal, thus bettering Sakshi Malik’s performance at Rio in 2016.
Semifinal Triumph
Wrestling her third bout of the day, the 29-year-old grappler ensured at least a silver medal which is the best performance by any Indian wrestler at these Games, when she beat Cuban Yusneylis Guzman Lopez by technical superiority 5-0 in the semifinals. Phogat now stands a chance to win the gold medal, becoming the first Indian grappler to do so at the Olympics.
Quarterfinal Victory
High on confidence from her previous victory, Vinesh took on Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals. Though a former European champion and 2018 World Championship bronze medalist, Livach was not an easy opponent, but Vinesh won with a score of 7-5. Down a weight category at 50kg because Antim Panghal qualified in the 53kg category, the physical adjustment did little to dent the confidence of Vinesh against Livach.
Overcoming Past Setbacks
An otherwise stellar career, with three Commonwealth Games gold medals, an Asian Games title, and eight Asian Championship medals to date, Vinesh had remained unsuccessful at the Olympic level in Rio and Tokyo. Over the Japanese wrestler in Paris-a win that not only sparked off celebrations in the Indian camp but also somewhat buoyed the chances of the other athletes who were positioned behind Susaki on the draw sheet, now that one tough opponent had been eliminated.
Biggest Upset of the Paris Olympics
The first bout against Yui Susaki was testimony to Vinesh’s tactical acumen. The bout began on a slow note, with no serious action from either wrestler in the first 90 seconds. Vinesh received a penalty for passivity that allowed Susaki to score her first point. The second period was no different as Vinesh trailed 0-2, again because of a passivity penalty.
But with just 20 seconds to go, Vinesh snatched her chance. Reaching for Susaki’s left leg, she missed but picked off the Japanese wrestler when she stumbled forward and managed a two-point throw with only nine seconds remaining. The ecstatic Vinesh then embraced coach Woller Akos as the challenge by the Japanese corner was disallowed.
Conquering Livach
Vinesh had been forced to move into the 50kg category after the qualification of Antim Panghal in the 53kg category, and quite expectedly, it was an adjustment on the matt too. However, she remained unscathed against Livach. She led 4-0 from two consecutive takedowns-first strength then technique-and when Livach managed a comeback in the second period, cutting back the lead by a point down from a double-leg attack and a push-out point,. A lost challenge by Vinesh’s camp made it 5-4. With 48 seconds remaining, Vinesh clinched another takedown to seal the win as Livach managed only a single point thereafter.
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