India’s Vinesh Phogat celebrates after winning her Women’s Freestyle 50kg semi-final wrestling match against Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman Lopez at the 2024 Summer Olympics(PTI)
On Tuesday, Vinesh Phogat etched her name in history as India’s first woman wrestler to enter the finals of the Olympic Games. Despite not being the favorite in the women’s 50kg freestyle category, Vinesh, India’s most accomplished woman wrestler with two World Championships, three CWG medals, and eight Asian Championships medals, faced a formidable challenge against world No. 1 and reigning Olympic champion Yui Susaki in her opener at the Paris Olympics 2024. Predictions favored Susaki to continue her unbeaten run, while Vinesh was expected to vie for bronze through the repechage round.
However, Vinesh defied expectations. In a stunning 3-2 victory over Susaki, she not only shocked her opponent but also captivated viewers worldwide. She then cruised comfortably through to the final, making her the first Indian woman to compete for Olympic gold in wrestling. Vinesh’s remarkable performance on Day 11 of the Paris Games was driven not by personal redemption but by a larger cause.
In 2021, Vinesh suffered a crushing defeat at the Tokyo Games, losing ‘by fall’ in the quarterfinals of the 53kg category. Accusations of misconduct and a suspension by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) followed, leading her to contemplate quitting the sport. Despite the off-field turmoil, Vinesh fought back and publicly accused the WFI chief of sexual misconduct, a battle that continues in the courts. Missing out on the 53kg category for Paris, she dropped to 50kg to qualify for her third straight Games.
On Tuesday, Vinesh handed Susaki her first defeat in 83 bouts during their pre-quarterfinal match. She then dominated 2018 European champion Oksana Livach of Ukraine in the quarters and displayed tactical brilliance against Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semifinals, securing a 5-0 victory and guaranteeing at least a silver medal in her third Olympic outing.
The significance of this medal goes beyond her prowess on the mat. Vinesh told Bajrang Punia, her supporter through the protests against the former WFI chief, “I am fighting for the future generation of wrestlers. Not for myself; my career is done, and this is my last Olympics. I want to fight for the young women wrestlers so that they can wrestle safely. That’s why I was in Jantar Mantar, and that’s why I am here.”
Vinesh will face American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt in the gold-medal match on Wednesday.
#VineshPhogat #Olympics2024 #WomenInWrestling #ParisOlympics #InspiringAthletes