Paris Olympic 2024: 'Dragged on the streets...,' Wrestler Bajrang Punia praises Vinesh Phogat for twin wins
India women wrestler Vinesh Phogat (Source: @ChennaiIPL)
India women wrestler Vinesh Phogat stormed into the semi-final of 50kg freestyle with two sensational wins in Round of 16 and Round of 8 on Tuesday (Aug 6) at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024.
Phogat first recorded one of the biggest upsets in women's wrestling by beating Japan's Yui Susaki who had an international record of 82-0 before the loss in R16. Phogat beat Sasuki 3-2 to advance to the Round of 8.
Also Watch:Paris Olympics: Without dropping a sweat! Neeraj Chopra enters men's javelin final with 89.34m throw
In the next bout, Phogat beat Ukraine's Oksana Livach 5-4 to enter the semis. She'll play in the final four round later tonight.
It is to be noted that Phogat was one of the faces of wrestlers' protest in India against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Saran Singh for alleged sexual harassment. Among other protesting wrestlers were Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik - both previous Olympics medal winners.
Reacting to Phogat's wins, Punia wrote on X: "Vinesh Phogat is the lioness of India who won back to back matches today. Defeated 4-time World Champion and defending Olympic champion. After that she defeated the former World Champion in the quarterfinals. But let me tell you one thing, This girl was kicked and crushed in her own country. This girl was dragged on the streets in her country .This girl is going to conquer the world but she lost to the system in this country."
India wrestling coach accuses opponent for Nisha Dahiya injury
India national wrestling team coach Virender Dahiya has accused North Korea of 'intentionally hurting' Nisha Dahiya during the 68 kg freestyle quarterfinal bout on Monday (Aug 5) at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024.
Nisha Dahiya lost her bout to North Korea's Sol Gum Pak due toa shoulder injury in the last 30 seconds. Nisha had a lead going into the final round which she then stretched to 8-1.
With only 12 seconds left in the bout, Nisha required medical attention once again and was constantly crying because of pain. The India grappler, however, went down with an 8-10 score despite a valiant effort.
