Vinesh Phogat shocks Olympic champion en route to historic final

Vinesh Phogat stuns Olympic champion Yui Susaki

Earlier, Phogat, who needed to lower down weight to compete within the 50kg class for Paris 2024, registered the largest win of her profession by defeating Yui Susaki 3-2 within the opening spherical.

Yui Susaki, a three-time world champion within the 50kg class, was unbeaten in worldwide competitions with an 82-0 report earlier than shedding to Vinesh. The Japanese wrestler can also be a former world champion within the 48kg and a two-time Asian champion.

Vinesh displayed a strategic and affected person method all through her bout towards Yui Susaki. The Japanese wrestler launched aggressive assaults from the beginning however Vinesh expertly dodged every transfer with outstanding pace. Vinesh was penalised for passivity however trailing solely 1-0 towards the reigning Olympic champion by the top of the primary interval was a constructive end result.

Within the second interval, Vinesh caught to her defensive plan and neutralised all of Susaki’s assaults. She conceded one other passivity level however with simply seven seconds left, flipped Susaki and compelled her onto the mat for 2 factors. Susaki challenged the choice however the judges dominated towards her and awarded Vinesh an additional level.

Within the quarter-finals, Phogat defeated Ukraine’s Oksana Livach 7-5. Vinesh executed a vital takedown within the first interval and led her opponent for probably the most half. The Ukrainian wrestler decreased the hole within the second interval however Vinesh secured 4 factors within the closing 20 seconds to clinch an enormous victory.

Phogat featured on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics within the 53kg division however needed to make approach for an in-form Antim Panghal within the class after scuffling with accidents. At Rio 2016, Phogat competed within the ladies’s 48kg.

India have gained a complete of seven medals – two silvers and 5 bronze – in wrestling on the Video games. Sushil Kumar, with a bronze at Beijing 2008 and a silver at London 2012, is India’s most profitable wrestler on the Olympics. Nevertheless, it might change if Vinesh Phogat manages to win the gold medal on Wednesday.