Vinesh Phogat on Monday created history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold medal at the Asian Games, brushing aside her rivals with rather ease in the 50kg freestyle category. She was a medal-favourite in her category and was likely to face stiff competition from Japan’s Yuki Irie whom she outplayed 6-2 in the final. The gold medal is a ground-breaking achievement for the 23-year-old from Haryana, who is connected to Dangal-famed Phogat family.
Phogat’s run to the final had been a confident and dominating one. In the semifinal round, Phogat defeated Uzbekistan’s Yakhshimuratova Dauletbike 10-0 in just 75 seconds, rolling off her opponent thrice in a leg-lock.
The Indian wrestler started her quarterfinals match against Kim Hyung-joo of Korea by taking six points. Phogat ended the bout with a four-point throw to win the match 11-0 with a technical superiority.
At the start of the day, Phogat faced her Rio opponent Sun Yanan, against whom she had suffered heart-breaking leg-injury, leading to her shock exit. This time, however, Phogat started well by rolling her on to the shoulder to receive two points. She went on to beat her opponent 8-2 to kick start the day and her campaign to the gold medal.
