Who is Vinesh Phogat? All you need to know about the Indian wrestler competing at Paris Olympics 2024

Vinesh Phogat is one of the six Indian wrestlers who will be in action at the Paris Olympics 2024. The wrestler has been plying her trade for nearly 10 years but has yet to win a medal in the event.

In the Rio Olympics back in 2016, she left the stage teary-eyed after a knee injury in the quarterfinals against China’s Sun Yanan brought an end to her campaign.

In 2019, Phogat qualified for the Tokyo Olympics after winning bronze at the World Championships in Kazakhstan.

She started her campaign in Tokyo with a win over Romania’s Emilia Alina Yuc, but could not have the last laugh against her Chinese opponent. Thereafter, she made a strong comeback by winning 16 medals (nine gold, six silver and one bronze).

She was the world no.1 back then and she started with a win over Sofia Mattson. However, Phogat slumped to a shock defeat to Belarus’ Vanesa Kaladzinskaya in the quarterfinal and crashed out of the tournament.

Vinesh Phogat was also involved in the protests against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh along with Sakshi Malik, who has already retired, and Bajrang Punia.

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How did Vinesh Phogat qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024?

Vinesh Phogat booked her ticket to Paris during the Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Taking part in the women’s 50kg category, she defeated South Korea’s Miran Cheon 10-0 via technical superiority. Thereafter, Phogat beat Samnang Dit from Cambodia in the quarterfinal after which she got the better of Laura Ganikyzy from Kazakhstan in the semis.

Vinesh dictated terms to his Kazakh opponent, winning 1-0- via technical superiority. It was through the same tournament that Anshu Malik and Reetika Hooda also secured their berth in the Paris Olympics 2024. The other wrestlers in the showpiece event are Aman Sehrawat, Antim Panghal and Nisha.