07 August,2024 08:06 AM IST | Paris | Agencies
Vinesh Phogat is ecstatic after her win over Japan’s Yui Susaki yesterday. Pic/AFP
Seasoned Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat ensured herself a maiden Olympic medal by beating Yusneylys Guzman to enter her first-ever final in the 50kg category here on Tuesday.
In a one-sided semi-final encounter, Vinesh emerged victorious over the Cuban wrestler with a score of 5-0.
Earlier, Vinesh pulled off the biggest upset at the Paris Games by outwitting hitherto invincible Yui Susaki with a perfectly planned strategy before edging past Ukraine's Oksana Livach to storm into the semi-final here on Tuesday.
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The Tokyo Games gold medallist and four-time World Champion Susaki had not lost any of her 82 bouts in her international career, but the Japanese top seed hardly had an idea as to what was about to hit her in the opener, which she lost 2-3.
Later, Vinesh quelled the challenge of former European champion and 2018 world championship bronze-medallist Ukraine's Oksana Livach 7-5 in the quarter-final.
"It's a miracle, no less than a miracle what Vinesh has done today. It was such a sad Monday due to Nisha's [Dahiya] injury, but Vinesh has lightened up the day," India's national coach Virender Dahiya said. It was not just the Indian camp that was celebrating, but the wrestlers in the Susaki's half in the draw were relieved that the big obstacle has been removed.
"With the world champion out, I thought I will now have a better chance. Vinesh was very strong, I tried to fight but I made a few mistakes," said Livach after her close 5-7 defeat against Vinesh.
Thrown in at the deep end, Vinesh came up with a strategy to look for that one attack in the dying moments and pulled that off successfully.
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