Despite not being a favourite one in the women’s 50kg freestyle category, she faced world No. 1 and reigning Olympic champion Yui Susaki in her first match. Many predicted Susaki would maintain her unbeaten run, with Vinesh aiming for bronze through the repechage round.
However, Vinesh shocked everyone by defeating Susaki 3-2 in the opening match. She then smoothly advanced to the final, becoming the first Indian woman to compete for an Olympic gold in wrestling. Her stunning performance on Day 11 of the Paris Games wasn’t just about proving herself; it was driven by a larger cause.
Speaking to ESPN, Punia, bronze medallist at the Tokyo Games, revealed: “She told me “I am fighting for the future generation of wrestlers. Not for myself, my career is done and this is my last Olympics. I want to fight for the young women wrestlers who will come and fight for them so that they can wrestle safely. That’s why I was in Jantar Mantar, and that’s why I am here.”
At the 2021 Tokyo Games, Vinesh suffered a crushing defeat in the 53kg quarterfinals and was later suspended by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for alleged misconduct. The off-field struggles led her to consider quitting the sport. However, she fought back and accused the WFI chief of sexual misconduct, leading to a prolonged court battle. This affected her performance, and she missed out on the 53kg category for Paris. She then moved to the 50kg category to qualify for her third consecutive Olympics.
On Tuesday, Vinesh stunned Susaki in the final moments of their pre-quarterfinal bout, handing the defending champion her first defeat in 83 matches. She then defeated 2018 European champion Oksana Livach of Ukraine in the quarters. In the semifinals, she showcased her tactical skills by beating Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba 5-0, securing at least a silver medal in her third Olympic appearance.
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