Veteran Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat came up with an exceptional show on Saturday, as she secured the Paris 2024 Olympics quota after winning her women’s 50 kg semis bout at the Asian Olympic qualifier, in Bishkek. The two-time World Championships medalist beat Kazakhstan’s Laura Ganikyzy 10-0 to win the quota for India, and also entered the final for the event.
On the other hand, Anshu Malik also bagged the quota in the women’s 57 kg category, that now takes India’s overall Paris Olympics quotas at three. The World Championships silver medalist beat Laylokhon Sobirova Uzbekistan 11-0 technical superiority.
Dominant Vinesh Phogat Shines at Asian Olympic Qualifier
Vinesh looked at her very best right from the very start of the event, where she recorded one-sided victories in all her matches. In her first bout, she got the better of Korean opponent Miran Cheon in only 67 seconds. Then it was the turn of Cambodia’s Smanang Dit, who was also beaten easily. Come her semis bout, it was another 10-0 bout for the Indian. She will now face Aktenge Keunimjaeva of Uzbekistan in the final.
Vinesh Bounces Back After Controversies
It wasn’t a smooth ride for Vinesh Phogat, when it came to getting a quota for the Olympics. She missed majority of 2022, protesting against ex-WFI chief, Brij Bhushan Singh. Then her 2023 was lost due to an injury, that saw her opt out of Asian Games as well. She could not even participate at the Polyàk Imre Memorial Ranking Series in Hungary, due to fever and food poisoning.
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