Much of the spotlight will be on Vinesh Phogat as she aims for an elusive Olympic medal at the Paris Games. Despite her tumultuous build-up to the event, Vinesh remains one of India’s most accomplished female wrestlers, boasting two World Championships, three Commonwealth Games (CWG) medals, and eight Asian Championships medals.
However, her previous two Olympic campaigns ended in heartbreak. In Rio 2016, she returned with a broken leg, and in Tokyo 2021, she faced a crushing defeat ‘by fall’ in the quarter-finals.
Vinesh Phogat’s journey to Paris has been fraught with challenges. She accused the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief of sexual misconduct and led an unprecedented protest alongside fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik. Despite the ongoing battle in Indian courts, Vinesh has remained focused on her Olympic dream.
Vinesh Phogat opponents in 50kg category
Vinesh Phogat faces an additional hurdle as she could not compete in the World Championships, where Antim Panghal secured a quota in the 53kg category, a weight class that Vinesh had made her own.
Consequently, she had to drop down to the 50kg category, known for its highly competitive field of proven performers.
Entering the tournament as an unseeded wrestler, Vinesh’s path to a medal is filled with formidable opponents, including four-time world champion Yui Susaki, four-time Olympic medallist Maria Stadnik, Tokyo Games bronze winner Sarah Hildebrandt, and two-time World medallist Dolgorjavyn Otgonjargal.
Facing Tough road ahead: Vinesh Phogat
As the most experienced Indian wrestler heading to her third Olympic Games, Vinesh Phogat is not among the medal favourites this time. Her unseeded status means she could face a very tough draw, yet she remains determined to break her Olympic medal drought.
Vinesh will be hoping to land in the upper half of the draw, which includes the gold medal favourite Yui Susaki of Japan. This positioning could improve her chances of making it to the repechages, offering a potential pathway to the podium.
The 50kg division is one of the most competitive in women’s wrestling, and Vinesh’s recent performances have not been up to her usual standard. Additionally, 50kg is not her natural body weight, leading to potential weight management issues and increased injury risk. Despite these challenges, Vinesh’s determination and experience make her a wrestler to watch.
Uphill Battle with Glimmer of Hope
On paper, Vinesh Phogat has the least chance of medalling among the Indian wrestlers at Paris. The seeding bracket is stacked with strong competitors, including Susaki, Feng, Hildebrandt, Otgonjargal, Demirhan, Stadnik, and Livach. Unseeded wrestlers like Kim and Keunimjaeva also pose significant threats.
For Vinesh, an ideal draw would place her in the upper half of the bracket, preferably in the lower quarter with the 5th and 4th seeds Cardozo and Demirhan, both of whom she has beaten this year. Facing Susaki in the first round could also be beneficial, as it opens the door for repechage, which might be her best chance to sneak onto the podium.
Can Vinesh Phogat Overcome odds?
The odds are stacked against Vinesh Phogat, but her resilience and experience cannot be underestimated. To secure a medal, she will need a favourable draw and a substantial amount of luck. As she steps onto the mat at the Paris Olympics, all eyes will be on Vinesh, hoping that she can defy the odds and achieve her long-awaited Olympic success.
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