Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat won the women's 50kg freestyle semi-final at the Paris Olympics 2024, becoming the first Indian woman to enter a gold medal bout and the second to win a medal earlier in the 2016 Rio Olympics Sakshi Malik had won a bronze medal for India. Vinesh defeated Cuba's Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semifinals. Vinesh's win secured India's entry into the finals ensuring a gold or silver medal for the nation.
After her win, Vinesh will compete against USA's Sarah Hildebrandt in the women's 50kg event at the Olympics, with her final match expected to be live-streamed and telecast for free on JioCinema and Sports18 Network TV channels on August 8 around 12:30 AM in Indian time zone. Vinesh Phogat is an unseeded wrestler who reached the finals after winning three consecutive matches, including opening against top seed Yui Susaki from Japan, quarter-finals against former European champion Oksana Livach from Ukraine, and semifinals against Pan American Games champion Yusneylis Guzman from Cuba.
India's two-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat has an exemplary record, she is proving her worth on the biggest stage. In 2016, she suffered a leg injury and was accused of misconduct. Despite considering retirement, Vinesh fought back and secured her position in the 50kg category. Vinesh is India's most accomplished woman wrestler who has won two World Champions, three CWG, and eight Asian Championships medals.
