Vinesh Phogat Clinches Gold at Spanish Grand Prix Ahead of Paris Olympics 2024

Indian Wrestler Triumphs in Women’s 50kg Category, Boosts Morale with a Major Win

In a stellar performance ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024, top Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat secured the gold medal in the women’s 50kg category at the Grand Prix of Spain on Saturday. The two-time World Championship bronze medallist defeated Mariia Tiumerekova, a former Russian wrestler now competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete, with a score of 10-5 in the final.

Despite receiving her Schengen visa at the last minute on Wednesday, the 29-year-old Asian Games gold medallist showed no signs of difficulty as she stormed through three bouts to reach the final. In her first match, Vinesh triumphed over Pan American champion Yusneylis Guzman of Cuba with a 12-4 victory on points. She then secured a win by fall against Madison Parks of Canada, a silver medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, she defeated another Canadian wrestler, Katie Dutchak, 9-4 on points.

This victory serves as a significant morale booster for Vinesh, who was a key figure in the protests against the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Following her successful stint in Spain, Vinesh will participate in a 20-day training camp in France to further prepare for the Paris Olympic Games, which commence on July 26.

Reference:

www.thequint.com

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