Indian star wrestler Vinesh Phogat pulled off a stunning upset by defeating top-seeded Yui Susaki in the round of 16 of the women's freestyle 50kg category at the Paris Olympics 2024. Phogat's 3-2 victory over Japanese propels her into the quarterfinals of the competition.
Vinesh Phogat dazzles into Paris Olympics quarterfinal, shocks reigning champion
Facing the Tokyo Olympic gold-medallist and three-time world champion, , Susaki, Phogat adopted a defensive strategy early on. This cautious approach led to a passivity warning and a point for Susaki in the first period. Despite Susaki's attempts to gain an advantage, Phogat managed to avoid any significant threats. However, Phogat was again penalised for passivity, granting Susaki another point. With time running out, Phogat executed a crucial move, pinning down Susaki to secure a decisive victory. Her impressive performance earned her three crucial points, securing her place in the quarterfinals.
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Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat has progressed to the quarterfinals of the Olympics, where she will face Ukraine's Oksana Livach. The 29-year-old's journey to this point has been particularly challenging, as she took a significant break from the sport last year to lead protests against the former Wrestling Federation of India chief.
Vinesh Phogat's Dramatic Comeback
Vinesh Phogat, aiming to break her Olympic medal drought, began the match cautiously against the formidable Yui Susaki. She attempted to disrupt Susaki's rhythm with occasional head pushes but struggled to gain a foothold in the match. Towards the end of the first round, a passivity warning cost Vinesh a point, and she narrowly escaped a more significant setback.
The second round saw a continuation of Vinesh's defensive strategy, and another passivity penalty put her in a precarious position. With time running out, and facing a seemingly insurmountable deficit, Vinesh executed a stunning takedown. She followed this up with a push-out and a successful pin, securing two crucial points and turning the match completely on its head.
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Meanwhile, overwhelmed by her dramatic victory, Vinesh erupted in celebration, sprinting towards her corner to embrace coach Woller Akos. The Indian grappler let out an emotional roar, signifying her triumph. However, the Japanese team challenged the decision, and upon review, Vinesh was awarded an additional point, resulting in a final score of 3-2 in her favor.
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