Paris Olympics 2024: Vinesh Phogat becomes first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final, assured of at least silver

Vinesh Phogat (Pic: Wrestling Federation of India)

India's Vinesh Phogat (50kg) became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the final of the Paris Olympics 2024 with a convincing 5-0 win over Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez on Tuesday.

With this win in the semifinal, Vinesh guaranteed herself at least a silver medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024.

Both wrestlers got off to a cautious start but a passivity clock on Lopez meant that Vinesh got on the board with one technical point after the Cuban didn't take a risk.

Also Read: 'She will fulfil my dream of gold': Mahavir Phogat after Vinesh reaches semis

Vinesh was leading 1-0 at the end of the first period.

She extended her dominance in the second period with four more points to seal the bout in her favour.

Earlier, Vinesh entered the semifinals on the back of two incredible wins, against reigning Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan and Ukraine's eighth seed Oksana Livach on a memorable day for the combative Indian grappler.

For the unversed, Phogat suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during her Olympic quarterfinal match in 2016, which led to her being carried off on a stretcher. Prior to this, she had never finished higher than ninth at the Olympics or third at a world championship.

Vinesh Phogat had earlier faced quarterfinal exits at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

For Yui Susaki to have a chance to compete for a medal through repechage, Phogat needed to advance to the final. On Tuesday night, Phogat competed against Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semifinal.

Phogat's advancement to the Paris Olympics 2024 final has given Susaki an opportunity to vie for a bronze medal through repechage. Susaki will face Oksana Livach on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)