Vinesh Phogat, India’s celebrated wrestler and a world championship bronze medalist, embarks on her Paris Olympics 2024 journey today in the women’s 50 kg wrestling event. The nation holds high hopes for Phogat, the first Indian woman wrestler to achieve gold at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games. Known for her exceptional skills and multiple medals at the World Wrestling Championships, Phogat faces a formidable opponent in Japan’s Yui Susaki.
Susaki, the reigning Olympic champion, has been an unstoppable force in the world of wrestling. Her dominance is evident in her undefeated streak since 2010, with only three losses to Yuki Irie in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Susaki’s exceptional technique and prowess were showcased at the 2017 Paris World Wrestling Championships where she secured gold in the 48 kg category. She further solidified her position as a world-class wrestler by winning another gold in the 50 kg category at the Budapest World Wrestling Championships in 2022. Susaki’s accomplishments extend beyond Olympic gold, including five World Championships golds, two Asian Championship golds, a gold each at the Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin and World U-23 Championship, two golds at the World Juniors Championships, and three at the World Cadets Championships.
The intense clash between Vinesh Phogat and Yui Susaki will be broadcast live on Jio Cinema at 2:30 pm and can be streamed live through Network 18 channels in India. Phogat’s previous Olympic experiences have been a mix of highs and lows. In the Tokyo Olympics 2020 quarter-finals, she faced a defeat against Belarusian Vanesa Kaladzinskaya. Her debut at the Rio Olympics 2016 was marked by disappointment as she suffered a quarter-final exit due to a knee injury. Determined to compete in the 50 kg category, Phogat dropped weight, paving the way for Antim Panghal to compete in the 53 kg event. The stage is set for a thrilling encounter between two of the world’s best wrestlers, promising a captivating display of skill and determination.
