Vinesh Phogat Final Match Time: When is the Indian wrestler playing her gold medal match at Paris Olympics 2024?
Vinesh Phogat, the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic wrestling final, will compete against USA's Sarah Hildebrandt in the gold medal match of the women's 50kg category. The bout will be held on Wednesday, August 7, at the Champ-de-Mars Arena Mat B. It is scheduled to take place at around 11:20 PM IST post the bronze medal match which starts at 9:45 PM IST.
Vinesh has looked unstoppable at the Paris 2024 Olympics so far. The 29-year-old registered three emphatic victories on the same day (August 6). She first stunned the world by beating the reigning champion from Japan, Yui Susaki. Phogat beat Sasaki 3-2 in their round of 16 encounter to make it to the quarter-finals.
She then beat Oksana Livach of Ukraine 7-5 in the quarters to advance into the semi-finals. Vinesh carried the momentum into the crucial next round and looked ominous in her performance.
The Indian star defeated Cuba's Yusneylys Guzman 5-0 in a comprehensive display, ensuring at least a silver medal finish at the Summer Games in Paris.
Vinesh Phogat's enthralling road to the finals of the Paris Olympics 2024
No matter what happens from here onwards, Vinesh Phogat has already etched her name in India's sporting folklore. When the wrestler pinned the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist on her back, the entire world stood up in applause. Such was the magnitude of her win over Yui Susaki.
In her next two rounds, it became evident that Vinesh was onto something special in Paris. Not for once did she look fazed and appeared totally dedicated to her dream. In the quarter-finals, she again showed great mental strength to clinch the match in the very last few seconds.
Her semifinal performance was just an indication of what could be expected of the rising star in the finals. At her dominant best in the semifinals, Vinesh Phogat has sent a message to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, Sarah Ann, that she is coming for her.