Vinesh Phogat has written her name into the annals of Indian wrestling history with a series of stunning victories at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The 29-year-old wrestler has defied all odds to secure a place in the final of the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event, becoming the first Indian woman ever to reach an Olympic wrestling final. Her remarkable journey has captivated fans and solidified her status as one of India’s premier athletes.
Phogat’s campaign at Paris 2024 began with a monumental upset against Japan’s Yui Susaki, the reigning Olympic champion and a three-time world champion in the 50kg category. Susaki, who had remained unbeaten in international competitions with an 82-0 record, was considered invincible. However, Phogat displayed a masterclass in strategic wrestling to clinch a dramatic 3-2 victory.
The bout against Susaki was a tactical battle from the outset. Phogat adopted a patient, defensive approach, willingly conceding two activity clock points while biding her time for a decisive move. Trailing 1-0 at the break, Phogat remained composed and focused on her strategy. In the final 10 seconds of the match, she seized her moment, executing a powerful takedown to secure two points. A failed challenge from Susaki’s corner added another point to Phogat’s tally, sealing her shocking victory.
Phogat’s triumph over Susaki was not just a victory over a formidable opponent but a statement of her resilience and determination. Susaki had not conceded a point at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and had only been taken to the full six minutes in two matches at the World Championships. Phogat’s win ended Susaki’s five-year dominance on the world stage, marking one of the biggest upsets in Olympic wrestling history.
Following her historic win, Phogat continued her remarkable run by defeating Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals. Livach, a former European champion, posed a significant challenge, but Phogat’s tactical brilliance shone through. She secured a crucial takedown in the first period and maintained her lead despite Livach’s attempts to close the gap. In the final 20 seconds, Phogat executed a series of moves to clinch a 7-5 victory.
In the semifinals, Phogat faced Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman, the reigning Pan American Games champion. The match began defensively, with Phogat being awarded a point for Guzman’s passivity. As the match progressed, Phogat capitalized on her opponent’s weaknesses, executing two decisive takedowns in the second period to win 5-0 and advance to the final.
Phogat’s journey to the final is a testament to her tenacity and skill. She had to drop from her usual 53kg category to compete at 50kg for the Paris 2024 Olympics, a decision that required immense dedication and discipline. Her performance at the Asian Olympic qualifier, where she reached the finals, demonstrated her readiness for the challenge.
Phogat’s final opponent will be USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt, the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist and a formidable competitor in her own right. Hildebrandt, seeded sixth, has had an impressive run at the Paris 2024 Olympics, defeating Algeria’s Ibtissem Doudou, China’s Feng Ziqi, and Mongolia’s Dolgorjavyn Otgonjargal to reach the final.
As Phogat prepares to face Hildebrandt, the hopes of a nation rest on her shoulders. A victory would not only secure her a gold medal but also elevate India’s wrestling legacy on the global stage. India has won a total of seven Olympic wrestling medals, but Phogat’s achievement would be a historic first for Indian women in wrestling.