Indomitable Vinesh Phogat extends fairytale run by reaching wrestling final at Paris Olympics

The records will show that Vinesh Phogat became the third Indian and first female wrestler to reach the finals of the Olympics, following a 5-0 win over Yusneylys Guzman of Cuba in the semi-finals of the 50kg freestyle category. What they will not tell you is what she went through and overcame to ensure another medal for the country and extend India’s podium-finish run in wrestling.

About a year ago, pictures of Vinesh and other wrestlers being dragged by the police on the streets of New Delhi during their protest against the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) went viral. Some sympathised with them and some did not. What almost everyone concluded was that their career as wrestlers was over.

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Fast forward to Paris and Vinesh did not only prove everyone wrong, but added a glorious chapter in the history of her sport in India. Her superlative efforts including three wins on a day made sure that the country would be returning with at least one wrestling medal from the Olympic Games for the fifth consecutive time. The odds she overcame makes her effort extraordinary.

Nobody gave her a chance against reigning champion and undisputed favourite Yusi Susaki of Japan in the first round. Those thoughts appeared to be real, with Vinesh trailing 0-2 and just about 10 seconds to go. On the defensive throughout, the 29-year-old from Haryana came up with a stunning manoeuvre to win 3-2. This is being hailed as the upset of Paris 2024 across disciplines.

A different Vinesh fought the next two bouts. Her defence strong as always, she was also looking for a chance to launch attacks. The ploy paid dividends in the quarter-final against Oksana Livach of Ukraine and in the semi-final against the Cuban. The 7-5 and 5-0 wins were convincing from start to finish. Like a wounded tigress protecting her territory, she refused to yield an inch.

Wounded she was in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, where she lost in the quarter-finals after tearing a ligament.  She was fit but not good enough in Tokyo in 2021, when she lost in the last-eight stage once again. The point to note is, she was competing in the 48kg division in Brazil and in the 53kg section in Japan. This time, she was taking part in 50kg.

Changing weight categories is easier said than done and that’s just one obstacle Vinesh had to contend with. Last year’s matters off the mat were troublesome and demoralising. Then, after qualifying for the Games, she ran into the most formidable opponent possible. Braving such odds elevates Vinesh’s tale to the level of a fairytale not just in wrestling but in Indian sports in general.

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