Vinesh Phogat Upcoming Tournament: Which event is the Indian wrestler competing in ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024?

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat is set to compete in the women’s 50 kg category at the Grand Prix of Spain 2024 in Madrid, starting July 6. The journey to this tournament took a minor hit when she didn’t receive her Schengen visa until the morning of Wednesday, July 3. She had her flight scheduled later the same day. However, with the help of official authorities and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Phogat got her visa and will be part of the competition in Spain.

This will be a perfect opportunity for her to prepare for the Paris Olympics 2024. As per the latest update, the 50kg category of the Grand Prix of Spain has a total of 19 entries, including the reigning Pan-Am champion, Yusneylys Guzmán of Cuba.

Many other Paris-bound wrestlers are competing in the event. Thus, the Indian wrestler has the perfect chance to fine-tune herself and prepare for the Summer Olympics 2024 in Paris.

After the Grand Prix of Spain, Vinesh Phogat will train for a week there, followed by a final 20-day training camp in Boulogne sur-Mer, France.

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How did Vinesh Phogat qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024?

Vinesh Phogat, who usually competes in the women’s 53 kg category, shifted herself to the 50 kg division after Antim Panghal secured a quota place for Paris Olympics 2024 in 53 kg.

Phogat secured her Olympics quota by defeating Kazakhstan’s Laura Ganikyzy 10-0 by technical superiority in the semi-finals of the Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers in April 2024. This was her first international tournament after the 2022 World Championships as she suffered illness and a knee injury.

However, the two-time Olympian didn’t let that affect her and made a strong comeback to book a ticket to Paris and mark her third consecutive appearance at the Summer Olympics. Vinesh Phogat has a Commonwealth Gold and a World Championships bronze medal to her name but is still in search of the elusive Olympic medal.