The Indian wrestler and Olympian Vinesh Phogat delivered a brilliant start to her Paris Olympics campaign as she defeated the top seed and the Tokyo 2020 champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the women’s 50kg freestyle round of 16 match on Tuesday.
Despite trailing 1-0 at the end of the first period, Vinesh showcased her resilience and skill, turning the match around in the second period to clinch a 3-2 win and advance to the quarterfinals.
In the upcoming quarterfinals, Vinesh will face Ukraine’s Oksana Livach, the 2019 European Champion, according to Olympics.com. Susaki, her vanquished opponent, is not only the defending Olympic champion but also a three-time world champion in the 50kg freestyle category and the current Asian champion.
Nisha Dahiya’s Paris Olympics campaign met an unfortunate end as she succumbed to North Korea’s Pak Sol Gum in the quarterfinals of the women’s 68 kg competition on Monday.
Earlier, in the round of 16, Nisha had secured a victory over Tetiana Sova with a score of 6-4 at the Champs de Mars Arena. After trailing 4-1 in the first round, Nisha fought back in the second round, scoring five points to turn the contest in her favor. This was Nisha’s debut Olympics, and she managed to reach the quarterfinals.
A total of six Indian wrestlers are competing at the Paris Olympics from August 5 to 11. Vinesh Phogat, a two-time Olympian, is competing in the women’s 50kg category, having previously competed in the 48kg category at the Rio 2016 Olympics and the 53kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Other Indian wrestlers include Antim Panghal, who will make her Olympic debut in the women’s 53kg category. Panghal earned her Olympic spot by winning a bronze medal at the World Championships last year. Commonwealth Games silver medalist Anshu Malik (women’s 57kg) and U-23 world champion Reetika Hooda (women’s 76kg) are also competing in the Olympics for the first time.
Aman Sehrawat is India’s sole representative in men’s wrestling, competing in the men’s 57kg freestyle category. An Asian Games bronze medalist, Sehrawat is expected to showcase his talents on the Olympic stage.
India has secured seven wrestling medals at the Olympics: two silver and five bronze medals.
-Paris 2024 Olympics: Indian wrestlers
Men’s freestyle
Aman Sehrawat – Men’s 57kg
Women’s freestyle
Vinesh Phogat – Women’s 50kg
Antim Panghal – Women’s 53kg
Anshu Malik – Women’s 57kg
Nisha Dahiya – Women’s 68kg
Reetika Hooda – Women’s 76kg.
(ANI)