NEW DELHI: India's star wrestler
Vinesh Phogat made history by advancing to the final of the women's freestyle 50kg wrestling at the Paris 2024 Olympics. On Tuesday at Champ-de-Mars Arena Mat B, she defeated Cuba's Yusneylys Guzman with a 5-0 score in the semi-finals. This achievement marks her as the first Indian wrestler to reach the final in women's wrestling at the Olympics, ensuring her at least a silver medal in Paris. This is a significant improvement from her quarter-final exits at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games.
Following her historic victory, Vinesh had an emotional video call with her mother, who was overwhelmed with joy and shed tears as Vinesh blew kisses and gave thumbs up to her family.
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During the call, a tearful Vinesh said, "
Gold lana hai! Gold" (I will bring gold).
WATCH:The semi-final bout began cautiously with both wrestlers. A passivity clock on Guzman led to Vinesh gaining a technical point when the Cuban failed to make a move.
Vinesh held a 1-0 lead at the end of the first period and dominated the second period, scoring four additional points to secure her win.
Vinesh’s journey to the semi-finals included impressive victories over reigning Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan and Ukraine’s eighth seed Oksana Livach, marking a standout day for the determined Indian grappler.
Throughout her career, Vinesh has won several medals, including three from the Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018, and 2022), one gold and one silver at the Asian Games (2018 and 2014), and two bronze medals at the World Championships.
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