Vinesh Phogat reaches semi-finals after stunning No.1 seed Yui Susaki, Oksana Livach in 50kg wrestling event

Vinesh Phogat stormed into the semi-finals of women’s freestyle 50kg at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Tuesday after beating the eighth seed Oksana Livach of Ukraine 7-5 in the last-eight match. This is Phogat’s first Olympics semi-final.

The Haryana wrestler will face Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman Lopez in the last-four contest at 9.45 PM IST Tuesday.

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In the match against Oksana, Phogat was the better player for the larger period of the bout and took a 2-0 lead after the first period. Oskana, however, stayed in the match and also avoided a few takedowns from Phogat.

With the match nearing the end, Oksana became more aggressive and pulled off five points but Phogat capitalised at the end by scoring four quick points in 20 seconds and sealing the match.

Earlier, Phogat reached the quarter-finals after pulling a surprise against gold medal favourite Susaki of Japan. The reigning Olympic champion from Japan led 2-0 after in the bout, but the Indian grappler scripted a late comeback to win 3-2.

Phogat started the bout defensively given the reputation of her 25-year-old Susaki who has also won three world championship gold medals in the 50kg category, while the Indian specialises in the 53kg event.

Early on in the first period, Phogat was given a warning for passivity as Susaki earned a point. Susaki then tried to attack Phogat’s leg but the Indian did well to get out of the trap as both wrestlers failed to earn a point.

Susaki earned another point for passivity by Phogat but the Indian clinched the match in the dying minutes of the match by pinning down her opponent and winning two points. The match was tied 2-2 and Susaki lost one more point for an unsuccessful challenge.

Vinesh Phogat is also the first wrestler to beat Yui Susaki in an international match, bringing an end to the Japanese’s 82-0 record.