Historic Medal for Vinesh Phogat at Paris Olympics : India Celebrates Wrestling Glory

Paris, August 6, 2024 - Vinesh Phogat has made India proud by reaching the finals of the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling at the Paris Olympics 2024. This incredible achievement guarantees her at least a silver medal, marking India’s fourth medal in these Games and the best performance so far. Phogat’s victory in the semifinal against Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez with a score of 5-0 has secured her place in Indian sports history. 

Vinesh Phogat, 29, is set to become the first Indian female wrestler to win more than a bronze at the Olympics. The last Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal was Sakshi Malik, who secured a bronze in the 2016 Rio Olympics. But Vinesh has the opportunity to go further by winning a gold medal, which would make her the first-ever Indian wrestler to achieve this feat. 

The Thrilling Semifinal Match 

The semifinal match between Vinesh and Lopez started with both wrestlers being cautious, trying to understand each other’s strategies. Vinesh used a patient approach, similar to her tactic against Japan’s Yui Susaki. However, she soon found herself in a tricky situation when Lopez secured a leg lock. Despite this, neither wrestler gained an advantage in the first one and a half minutes. 

As the match continued, Lopez received a warning for passivity, and when her passivity clock expired, Vinesh took a slim 1-0 lead with one minute left in the first round. Lopez tried hard to grab Vinesh’s right leg, but Vinesh’s strong defense stopped her. Although Vinesh was also warned for passivity, she kept her 1-0 lead. 

In the second round, Vinesh attacked Lopez’s right leg but couldn’t take advantage, leading to her own passivity clock starting. With only 30 seconds to make a move, the pressure was high. Then, in a dramatic turn, Vinesh flipped Lopez over and earned two points, boosting her lead to 5-0. This impressive move ensured Vinesh’s place in Indian wrestling history, giving India its best medal finish at the Paris 2024 Games. 

An Unforgettable Journey 

Earlier in the day, Vinesh shocked everyone by defeating the seemingly unbeatable Yui Susaki in the quarterfinals. Susaki, who clinched the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and boasts four World Championships titles, had maintained an undefeated streak of 82 international matches. But Vinesh’s brilliant strategy led to a 3-2 victory, moving her closer to an Olympic medal. 

Riding high on this victory, Vinesh faced Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the semifinals. Livach, a former European champion and 2018 World Championship bronze medalist, gave a tough fight, but Vinesh secured a 7-5 win. 

Despite her decorated career with three Commonwealth Games gold medals, an Asian Games title, and eight Asian Championship medals, Vinesh had not yet found Olympic success in Rio and Tokyo. Her breakthrough in Paris has sparked celebrations in the Indian camp and brought hope for the future of Indian wrestling. 

The Biggest Upset of the Paris Olympics 

The initial bout with Susaki showed Vinesh’s incredible strategic skills. Both wrestlers started cautiously, and there was no significant action in the first 90 seconds. Vinesh was penalized for passivity, giving Susaki the first point. The second period unfolded in a similar fashion, with Vinesh falling behind 0-2 due to another passivity penalty. 

However, with only 20 seconds left, Vinesh saw an opportunity. She tried to grab Susaki’s left leg but failed initially. Then, taking advantage of Susaki’s unstable stance, Vinesh executed a two-point takedown with just nine seconds left, winning the match. Vinesh celebrated with heartfelt emotion, hugging her coach Woller Akos as the Japanese corner's challenge to the points was overruled. 

Overcoming Challenges to Reach the Top 

Dropping to the 50kg class due to Antim Panghal’s qualification in the 53kg category, Vinesh had to adjust physically but remained strong against Livach. She initially led 4-0 with consecutive takedowns, showing both strength and technique. Livach fought back in the second period, narrowing the gap with a double-leg attack and a push-out point. An unsuccessful challenge from Vinesh’s corner adjusted the score to 5-4. With 48 seconds left, Vinesh secured another takedown, ensuring her victory despite Livach scoring once more. 

Prior to the Paris Games, Vinesh secured a victory at the Spanish Grand Prix. Although this event did not include top-tier competitors, it offered her crucial mat time. Her preparation was also marked by significant activism, as she was a prominent figure in the protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, spending nights demonstrating at Jantar Mantar. 

Looking Ahead 

With the final match ahead, Vinesh Phogat is just one step away from making history as the first Indian wrestler to win an Olympic gold medal. Her journey at the Paris Olympics has been nothing short of inspirational, filled with strategic brilliance, perseverance, and sheer determination. 

India eagerly awaits the final bout, hoping to see Vinesh Phogat stand on the top podium, draped in the tricolor, with a gold medal around her neck. No matter the outcome, Vinesh’s achievements have already etched her name in the annals of Indian sports history, inspiring future generations of wrestlers to dream big and work hard. 

Stay tuned for the final match as Vinesh Phogat aims for Olympic glory and continues to make India proud.