2024-08-07 00:40:02
Add Vinesh Phogat’s name to the list of stunning wrestling upsets at the Olympic Games. She pulled off what no wrestler could do at the Worlds or Olympics since 2017.
Japan’s Yui Susaki seemed unbeatable with next-level offense, turns, and stellar defense. Susaki didn’t concede a point at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and only two matches at the World Championships lasted a full six minutes.
Yui Susaki At The Worlds And Olympics From 2017-2023
That changed on August 6, 2024.
Susaki and Phogat opened the 50 kg women’s freestyle competition with a tight contest decided in the final seconds. Neither wrestler engaged but it was apparent that Phogat was willing to play the waiting game. The Indian star gave up two activity clock points and only took shots at the end periods.
Phogat reached Susaki’s leg at the end of the first but the Japanese superstar stymied the attempt to take a 1-0 lead at the break. Phogat stayed defensive for the remainder of the match until the final 10 seconds when she powered through for a two-point takedown as time expired. A lost challenge by Japan gave Phogat a stunning 3-2 win over the five-time World and Olympic champion.
Phogat dropped from 53 kilograms to make her third Olympic Team. She won World bronze medals in 2019 and 2022 but caused a stir when she entered two weights — 50 and 53 — at her country’s trials process in March.
She reached the finals of this year’s Asian Olympic qualifier at 50 kg after five years at 53. Her last time at this weight was during the 2018 Asian Games where she defeated Japan’s Yuki Irie — the same opponent with three wins over Susaki — in the gold medal finals.
Winning the 2020 Tokyo Olympics took fortunate timing for Susaki. She won the 2017 and 2018 Worlds but Irie represented Japan in 2019. Irie has three wins over her domestic rival and is the only wrestler to defeat Susaki since 2010.
Irie would represent Japan at the Olympics if she won a medal at the 2019 World Championships, but those plans were derailed when she lost to China’s Yanan Sun in a wild 13-12 quarterfinal match. Sun lost to eventual champion Mariya Stadnik of Azerbaijan in the semifinals, leaving Irie out of medal contention.
That opened the door for Susaki who took advantage by winning a special wrestle-off over Irie. The 2020 Olympic Games were postponed until 2021 but Susaki dominated the competition in front of her home crowd. Sun gave Susaki an Olympic opportunity and, as fate would have it, Susaki defeated Sun, 10-0, in the gold medal finals.
Phogat faces Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals. Susaki can wrestle back for bronze if Phogat reaches the finals.
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