Vinesh Phogat has secured India's fourth medal at the Paris Olympics, guaranteeing at least a silver in the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling.
Vinesh Phogat's assures historic Silver
Vinesh's emphatic 5-0 victory over Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semifinals marks a historic achievement, as no Indian female wrestler has previously won higher than bronze. Phogat now stands on the cusp of history, with a chance to become India's first Olympic gold medalist in wrestling.
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Vinesh Phogat to Battle for Gold
Vinesh Phogat has secured India's first-ever silver medal in women's wrestling by reaching the finals of the 50kg freestyle category at the Paris Olympics. She will compete for the gold medal on Wednesday, August 7, where she will face USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt. Phogat's journey to the final has been impressive, including a stunning upset over defending champion Yui Susaki. With this historic achievement, she becomes the second Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in wrestling.
Vinesh Phogat dominates semifinal
The match between Vinesh Phogat and Yusneylis Guzman Lopez began with both wrestlers adopting a cautious approach, carefully studying each other's movements. Vinesh, employing a similar strategy to her match against Yui Susaki, found herself in a challenging situation early on as Lopez managed to secure a leg lock. However, Lopez's defensive prowess prevented any significant breakthrough, leaving the score tied at 0-0 after the first minute and a half.
The momentum shifted as Lopez was penalized for passivity, leading to a passivity clock. Vinesh capitalized on this opportunity to take a narrow 1-0 lead with a minute remaining in the first round. Lopez responded by targeting Vinesh's right leg, but the Indian's strong defense forced a break in the hold. Despite a subsequent passivity warning, Vinesh managed to preserve her slender advantage at the end of the first period.
The second round began with Vinesh Phogat attempting a leg attack on Lopez, but the move was unsuccessful, resulting in a passivity clock against her. With time running out, Vinesh faced immense pressure to avoid a potential reversal. However, in a dramatic display of skill and power, she executed a stunning flip, taking down Lopez and earning two crucial points. This decisive move extended her lead to five points, effectively securing her place in the final and guaranteeing India's best-ever medal at the Paris Olympics.
Notably, after failing to win a medal in her previous two Olympic appearances, Vinesh Phogat is now on the brink of history. With a chance to secure the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, she has the opportunity to create a lasting legacy.
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