Paris Olympics 2024 Wrestling: Vinesh Phogat advances to semifinals in Women's Freestyle 50kg
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has successfully secured her place in the semifinals of the women's freestyle 50kg category. She triumphed over Ukraine's Oksana Livach with a closely contested 7-5 victory in the quarterfinals on Tuesday (August 6).
Phogat was at her best against former European champion Oksana Livach. She managed to gain two technical points in the first period and then added five more in the second. Livach, on the other hand, was unable to score in the first period but made a strong comeback in the second, earning five points. Despite Livach's efforts, Phogat's early lead ensured her victory by a margin of two points.
Before this game, Vinesh Phogat delivered a remarkable upset by defeating World No. 1 and Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Yui Susaki of Japan. Phogat won the nail-biting match 3-2, clinching victory in the dying moments.
Susaki, who had won the gold at the Tokyo Olympics without conceding a single point, was considered the biggest threat in the competition. This stunning victory not only boosts Phogat's confidence but also positions her as a major contender for the gold medal.
Who will Vinesh Phogat play in the semi-finals of the Paris Olympics 2024?
Vinesh Phogat is set to face Yusneylys Guzmán of Cuba in the semifinals tonight (August 6) at 10:13 pm IST. A win in this match would guarantee her a medal, either gold or silver. In case of a loss, she will compete for the bronze medal. The upcoming semi-final match is crucial, and Phogat's performance so far suggests she is well-prepared to take on this challenge.
It will be Phogat’s first-ever semi-final appearance at the Olympics after early exits in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Now, in her third Olympic appearance, she is almost on the verge of securing a historic medal for India in wrestling.