Paris: On Tuesday, in the pre-quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat defeated Japan’s Yui Susaki, the four-time world champion, 3-2 to advance to the quarterfinals in the women’s freestyle 50kg competition.
Vinesh has competed in the 48 kg and 53 kg categories in the past. This time, she is competing for the first time in the 50 kg class in Paris.
After the first session, Phogat was down 0–1, but a two-pointer in the last 30 seconds helped her turn the tide. The Indian played the majority of the match on the defensive, but in the closing moments, she gave it her all to win at the Champ-de-Mars Arena.
Later in the day, Vinesh will take on Oksana Livach of Ukraine in the quarterfinal.
Susaki is the current world champion and gold medallist from the Tokyo Olympics. She is the unchallenged champion in the women’s 50 kg freestyle and was unbeaten in Tokyo, taking home the gold medal.
Remarkably, Susaki has only lost five fights since 2010.
Conversely, Vinesh is taking part in her third Olympics. Due to an injury, she missed a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Vanesa Kaladzinskaya defeated her in the 53kg quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics. After Kaladzinskaya lost in the semifinal, the Indian player’s chances of coming back were dashed, and her participation in the event was over.
Photo Credit: IANS
