Vinesh Phogat scripts history; becomes first Indian woman wrestler to enter Olympics final

Vinesh Phogat scripted history on Tuesday as she became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final after beating Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba 5-0 in the women's freestyle 50kg semi-final.

A victory in the semifinals today has secured Phogat a silver medal, but the prominent Indian wrestler will be aiming for gold in the finals.

Both wrestlers began the match cautiously, but a passivity clock on Lopez allowed Vinesh to score a technical point after the Cuban wrestler played it safe. Vinesh led 1-0 at the end of the first period. She then built on her advantage in the second period, adding four more points to secure the victory.


Earlier in the day, Phogat defeated Ukraine's Oksana Livach in the last-eight stage after causing the biggest wrestling upset in this games when she shocked four-time world champion and reigning gold-medallist Yui Susaki of Japan on points to enter the quarter-finals.

Vinesh had failed to win a medal in her two previous Olympic appearances.

Accusations Against WFI
Phogat's journey to this victory hasn't been without challenges. Over the past year and a half, she accused the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) of trying to prevent her from competing in the Olympic qualifiers by creating logistical hurdles for her support staff. The WFI denied these allegations, claiming that Phogat's application for her coach and physio's accreditation was submitted after the deadline.

Concerns Over Doping and Safety
Phogat has also voiced fears of being trapped in a doping case, alleging that certain coaches appointed by the federation might sabotage her efforts. "Brij Bhushan and his dummy Sanjay Singh are trying in every way to stop me from playing in the Olympics," she posted on her 'X' page. She further questioned the fairness of the support she is receiving from the authorities, noting the absence of accreditation for her personal coach and physio.

The Bigger Battle
Phogat's struggles extend beyond the wrestling mat. She was one of the three top wrestlers who led a protest against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment. After Singh was granted bail, Phogat wondered if her current difficulties stem from this protest. "Will we face politics even before we go to play for the country because we raised our voice against sexual harassment?" she asked.

Phogat's journey is a testament to her resilience and determination, facing obstacles both on and off the mat.