Vinesh Phogat Stuns Top Seed Yui Susaki, Advances to QFs

Indian wrestler and Olympian Vinesh Phogat delivered an exceptional start to her Paris Olympics campaign by defeating the top seed and Tokyo 2020 champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the women’s 50kg freestyle round of 16 match on Tuesday.

Despite Susaki leading 1-0 at the end of the first period, Vinesh made an impressive turnaround in the second period, outmatching her Japanese opponent to secure a 3-2 victory, earning her place in the quarterfinals. She is set to face the 2019 European Champion, Ukraine’s Oksana Livach, in the next round.

Yui Susaki, not only the defending champion but also a three-time world champion in the 50 kg freestyle category and the current Asian champion, faced an unexpected exit from the competition.

Meanwhile, Nisha Dahiya’s Olympic journey came to an unfortunate end as she lost to North Korea’s Pak Sol Gum in the quarterfinals of the women’s 68 kg competition on Monday. Dahiya, who was leading 8-2 at one point, eventually succumbed to a 8-10 loss after sustaining an injury and taking medical timeouts, which Sol Gum capitalized on.

Dahiya had earlier defeated Tetiana Sova 6-4 in the round of 16 at the Champs de Mars Arena, showcasing a remarkable comeback after trailing 4-1 in the first round.

A total of six Indian wrestlers are competing at the Paris Olympics from August 5 to 11. Two-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat, competing in the women’s 50 kg category, is joined by Antim Panghal (women’s 53 kg), Commonwealth Games silver medallist Anshu Malik (women’s 57 kg), U-23 world champion Reetika Hooda (women’s 76 kg), and Aman Sehrawat (men’s 57 kg freestyle), India’s sole representative in men’s wrestling.

India has historically secured seven wrestling medals at the Olympics, comprising two silver and five bronze medals.

Indian Wrestlers at Paris 2024 Olympics:

• 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