Neeraj Chopra hails Vinesh Phogat for beating 'unbeatable' Yui Susaki: 'This is extraordinary. To beat Susaki is unreal'

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Tuesday hailed wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s win over Japan’s Yui Susaki as “unreal” and “extraordinary” as the 29 year-old advanced to the quarter-finals of the women’s 50 kg category at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the quarter-finals, Vinesh defeated Ukraine's Oksana Livach to qualify for the semi-finals, where she will play Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzmán later on Tuesday.

Neeraj, on the other hand, qualified for the men’s javelin throw final with a throw of 89.44m in the qualification round on Tuesday.

“This is extraordinary. To beat Susaki is unreal. The effort that she (Vinesh Phogat) has shown after what she has gone through is incredible. All the best to her!”, Neeraj told when he spoke to reporters after his throw.

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Susaki had entered the match against Vinesh having remained unbeaten against non-Japanese opponents in her international career. However, the Tokyo Olympics gold medallist was undone by Phogat’s strategy as the former succumbed to defeat in the final seconds of the bout with a 2-3 margin.

Also read | Who is Yusneylys Guzmán, Vinesh Phogat's opponent in wrestling semi-final?

At her previous Olympics appearances in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, Vinesh suffered quarter-final exits and this will be an opportunity for her to go all the way and win the gold. Sakshi Malik remains the only Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal till date, when she wen silver at the Rio Olympics eight years ago.

Neeraj Chopra, meanwhile, will be hoping to retain the Olympic gold medal that he won in Tokyo three years ago. The men’s javelin throw final is scheduled to take place on Thursday (8 August).