Vinesh Phogat shocks Olympic champion en route to historic final

Vinesh Phogat stuns Olympic champion Yui Susaki

Earlier, Phogat, who had to cut down weight to compete in the 50kg category for Paris 2024, registered the biggest win of her career by defeating Yui Susaki 3-2 in the opening round.

Yui Susaki, a three-time world champion in the 50kg category, was unbeaten in international competitions with an 82-0 record before losing to Vinesh. The Japanese wrestler is also a former world champion in the 48kg and a two-time Asian champion.

Vinesh displayed a strategic and patient approach throughout her bout against Yui Susaki. The Japanese wrestler launched aggressive attacks from the start but Vinesh expertly dodged each move with remarkable speed. Vinesh was penalised for passivity but trailing only 1-0 against the reigning Olympic champion by the end of the first period was a positive outcome.

In the second period, Vinesh stuck to her defensive plan and neutralised all of Susaki’s attacks. She conceded another passivity point but with just seven seconds left, flipped Susaki and forced her onto the mat for two points. Susaki challenged the decision but the judges ruled against her and awarded Vinesh an extra point.

In the quarter-finals, Phogat defeated Ukraine’s Oksana Livach 7-5. Vinesh executed a crucial takedown in the first period and led her opponent for the most part. The Ukrainian wrestler reduced the gap in the second period but Vinesh secured four points in the final 20 seconds to clinch a massive victory.

Phogat featured at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the 53kg division but had to make way for an in-form Antim Panghal in the category after struggling with injuries. At Rio 2016, Phogat competed in the women’s 48kg.

India have won a total of seven medals – two silvers and five bronze – in wrestling at the Games. Sushil Kumar, with a bronze at Beijing 2008 and a silver at London 2012, is India’s most successful wrestler at the Olympics. However, it could change if Vinesh Phogat manages to win the gold medal on Wednesday.