Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat has kicked off her final preparations for the Paris Olympics in style, securing a gold medal in the 50kg category at the Grand Prix of Spain.
Overcoming hurdle before takeoff
Vinesh Phogat’s journey to Spain wasn’t without its initial hiccups. Just hours before her departure, she faced a stressful situation, requiring government intervention to obtain a visa.
Thankfully, these concerns were resolved, and Vinesh was able to focus on what she does best – dominating on the wrestling mat.
New weight category for Vinesh Phogat
The competition in Spain provided Vinesh Phogat with a valuable opportunity to test her skills in her new weight class. Having recently transitioned from the 53kg category to the 50kg category, the gold medal serves as a significant confidence booster.
Dominant performance by Indian Wrestler
Vinesh displayed exceptional form throughout the tournament. She started strong with a convincing 12-4 victory over Pan-American champion Yusneylis Guzman of Cuba.
Her dominance continued with a win by fall over Canadian wrestler Madison Parks, followed by a 9-4 win over another Canadian, Katie Dutchak, in the semi-finals. Vinesh ultimately secured the gold medal with a 10-5 victory over Mariia Tiumerekova, a former Russian wrestler competing as a neutral athlete.
Vinesh Phogat looking ahead to Paris Olympics
While the title in Spain won’t directly impact Vinesh’s Olympic standing, it undoubtedly provides a much-needed morale boost and validates her training efforts.
Following this successful competition, Vinesh will head to France for a final 20-day training camp before the Olympic Games begin. Her first match in Paris is scheduled for exactly one month from today, on August 6th.
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