Vinesh Phogat keeps Olympics qualification hopes alive in 50 kg category
Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Vinesh Phogat took a step towards qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics by triumphing in the 50 kg category in the wrestling selection trials in Patiala.
Vinesh scripted an incredible comeback to beat Shivanee in the final of the wrestling selection trials. Vinesh, who was losing 1-4, came back to win the contest 11-6 against Shivanee. She will now go to the Asian Olympics Qualifier in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Vinesh defeated national champion Nirmala Devi 10-0 in the semi-finals of the selection trails. Nirmala became the national champion in the 50 kg category last month.
However, Vinesh could not put in the same level of performance in the 53 kg category, where she was bested by Anju of Railways. Anju took just 18 seconds to beat Vinesh, winning the bout 10-0.
Vinesh had requested the authorities to allow her to compete both in the 50 kg and 53 kg category events. She was given the green light by the authorities, despite competing in the 53 kg category throughout the majority of her career.
Last year, Vinesh had left her Arjuna and Khel Ratna Awards on the pavement of Kartavya Path in New Delhi after promising to return her awards as a mark of protest against the treatment of female wrestlers in the country.
India’s top wrestlers, including Vinesh, Sakshee Malikkh and Bajrang Punia, led protests against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh that went on for months after several female wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harrasment.
Vinesh along with Punia and Malikkh had voiced their opposition against the Sanjay Singh-led new WFI governing body, fearing it would be influenced by Brij Bhushan.
Thousands of people from different sections of society, including farmers groups, social workers, politicians, women’s groups and members of the wrestling fraternity, came out to support Malik, Phogat and Punia.
Sanjay Singh, who is close to Brij Bhushan, won the WFI elections in December 2023 after the polls were held following a Supreme Court directive. Sanjay Singh defeated former Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Anita Sheoran, a witness in the sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan.