One of the most prestigious wrestlers in the world, India’s Vinesh Phogat’s, has become the first Indian female wrestler to make it to the finals of women’s freestyle 50kg wrestling at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In Champ-de-Mars Arena Mat B on Tuesday, she defeated Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman 5-0 in a semi-final match. This achievement marked her as being the first-ever Indian woman wrestler to reach women’s Olympic wrestling final thus assuring her with at least a silver medal in Paris. “Gold lana hai! Gold”.
Vinesh Phogat’s spoke to her mother after making history and broke down crying as she blew kisses and gave thumbs up to her family.
The bout was slow to get underway with both wrestlers one on one during the half. However, when Guzman played strictly defensively in his position due to passivity he then allowed Phogat technical point.
Vinesh was leading 1-0 after the first period and dominated in second period netting herself four more points for a win.
Also highlighted was an amazing day for India’s determined grappler with impressive wins over reigning Olympic champion Yui Susaki from Japan and Ukraine’ s eighth seed Oksana Livach along Vinesh’s path into this semi-final.
She has also won two bronze medals at World Championships, including one gold and one silver at Asian Games (2018), three medals from Commonwealth Games (2014, 2014 and 2022) and others throughout her career.
