India's Vinesh Phogat, Anshu secure Paris Olympics berth after winning at Asian Olympic Qualifiers
Vinesh Phogat, Anshu secure Paris Olympics berth after winning at Asian Olympic Qualifiers
Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Anshu have secured their respective berths in the upcoming Paris Olympics after winninginthe Asian Qualifiers on Saturday (April 20). Phogat, a three-time Commonwealth Games goldmedalistbeat Laura Ganikyzy in the 50kg semifinal of the Asian Olympic Qualifiers.The win means Phogat will compete at her third Olympics after representing the nation at the 2020 and 2016 Olympics.The glorious day for India was also highlighted by Anshu Malik who also secured the Olympic quotahavingwon in the 57kg division.
It was a different scenario on the mat for Phogatthis timeasshe competed in the 50kg category instead of her usual 53kg category.AntimPhangal’sdominance was the key reason she started the season in the 50kg category, with the former already having secured passage in the 53kg category. Phogat had a decisive day on Saturdayknowinga win in the quarterfinal will secure her Olympics quota.
Standing inPhogat’sway was Ganikyzy, a bronze medallist from the U23 Asian Championships. Ganikyzy appeared eager to start scoring quickly and got out to an aggressive start, but Vinesh kept her off and played defense.
Phogathasn'tparticipated in an international competition since the 2022 Commonwealth Games. She wasplaced first in the 50kg division at the March selection trials after winning gold in the 55kg category at the Indian nationals in February of this year.Thisis also her first major outing since she played a prominent role in thewrestlers'protest against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment ofwomenwrestlers.
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Meanwhile, Anshu alsosecured her berth in the Olympics after beatingKyrgyzstan'sKalmira Bilimbekova. With only eight participants in the competition,Anshu’spassage wassimple,a win would have seen her in the semis and secure the berth. In awonderfuldisplay of dominance, she got the better of her Kyrgyzstan opponent.
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Shethen putUzbekistan'sLaylokhon Sobirova to the mat with a dominant 6-0 lead in the early stage. Anshu wiped the floor with Sobirova before officially confirming her place in the Olympics.
