Vinesh Phogat scripts major upset in women’s wrestling on way to Paris 2024 semi-finals

Vinesh Phogat storms into semi-final at the Paris Olympics 2024. (Pic Courtesy: X- @OlympicKhel)

Going to Paris, Vinesh Phogat was perhaps the Indian athlete under maximum emotional duress. An underwhelming track record despite having potential and the controversy surrounding her role in the protests against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) – she was battling multiple demons. She responded by delivering the most stunning performance in this edition of the Olympic Games by an Indian so far.

Facing reigning champion Yui Susaki of Japan and trailing 0-2 with seconds left on the clock, Vinesh pulled off a memorable manoeuvre which fetched three points. The Haryana wrestler thus reached the quarter-finals for the third consecutive time. She then came out guns blazing against Oksana Livach of Ukraine and won 7-5 to seal a maiden Olympic semi-final berth.

While Vinesh’s win against the Ukrainian was convincing despite nervy moments towards the end, the story of the day was the stunner against the Japanese. Susaki won gold in Tokyo without conceding a point. She is a five-time world champion and the top seed. For an unseeded wrestler to topple her is what sport is about — underdogs are never to be underestimated.

Vinesh was obviously on the defensive for most part of this 50-kg bout. She knew that trying to attack could have fatal consequences. Her defence was strong and she warded off a deadly assault towards the end of the first round. However, the Haryana wrestler had to pay a price. Once in each round, the referee penalised her a point for being too passive. That gave Susaki the 2-0 lead.

It looked all over after Vinesh was docked the second point, with the clock running out. To the disbelief of everybody, she summoned extraordinary fortitude right at the end and pinned the Japanese to the mat. It made her the 3-2 winner in one of the most extraordinary bouts in the recent history of women’s wrestling. Tears of joy showed what it meant for Vinesh.

The Indian is no mean achiever. She has two World Championship bronze medals to her credit, other than gold at the Asian and Commonwealth Games. But that meant nothing against Susaki, who had lost just three bouts in her career before this one. This last-gasp win reminded one of Sakshi Malik snatching bronze in 2016, when she overturned a 0-3 deficit and won 5-3 right at the end.

With Sakshi and Bajrang Punia, Vinesh was the face of the protests against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by the wrestlers last year. She had been troubled frequently by injuries as well. To overcome that and script a major upset against the unquestionable favourite was a major feat. Her semi-final bout will take place at 10.13 pm IST. A win will ensure a medal, while defeat will still keep her in contention for the bronze.