A few weeks ahead of Paris Olympics 2024, World Championship Bronze Medalist Vinesh Phogat won the women’s 50 kg event at the Grand Prix of Spain 2024 in Madrid on July 6. Vinesh defeated Mariia Tiumerekova 10-5 to clinch the title in the finals. Mariia was contesting as an individual neutral athlete in this tournament.
Road to the Final
Vinesh who is the reigning Commonwealth Games champion made her way into the final after three dominant and comfortable wins. She started her campaign with a 12-4 win over Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman (reigning Pan American champion). She defeated Canada’s Madison Parks in the quarter-finals and another Canadian Katie Dutchak to make her way to the final.
Way ahead for Vinesh
Vinesh has already secured her Paris 2024 Olympics quota for India at the 2024 Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament in Bishket. Phogat who is a two-time Olympian will compete in the women’s 50 kg division at the Paris 2024 Olympics starting on July 26. She competed in the women’s 48 kg at Rio 2016 Olympics and 54 kg Division at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. She has moved down her category from 53 kg to 50 kg.
When will Vinesh start her Paris Olympics campaign?
Vinesh’s opening bout at the Paris Olympics is scheduled to be held on August 6. After her successful training stint in Spain, Vinesh will move to France for a 20-day training program. She received her Schengen visa with government’s help hours before she was due to leave Spain.
Vinesh after receiving her visa within due time took to X and wrote “I have just now received my Schengen visa. I would like to sincerely thank all the authorities who have helped me get the visa so quickly. Means a lot. Thank you Mansukh Mandaviya, Consulate General of France in Bangalore, Ministry of External affairs Bharat and Sports Authority of India, TOPS and MOC team’'.
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