Vinesh Phogat’s journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a rollercoaster of emotions. Her disqualification from the women’s 50kg wrestling final was a crushing blow, but her earlier victories had ignited euphoria among Indian sports fans.
Phogat’s biggest upset came in the opening round, where she outwitted the seemingly invincible Yui Susaki of Japan. Susaki, a four-time World Champion and Tokyo Games gold medalist, had an unblemished record of 82 bouts. However, Phogat’s well-executed strategy and determination earned her a 2-3 victory.
In the semifinals, Phogat faced Ukraine’s Oksana Livach. Despite a tough battle, Phogat emerged victorious, securing her place in the final. However, her Olympic dream was cut short when she was disqualified for an illegal hold in the final against Susaki.
Susaki, who had been given a second chance through the repechage, went on to win the bronze medal. However, she expressed deep regret for not winning gold. “I committed a betrayal,” she wrote in a heartfelt note. “I wanted to win the gold medal for my family, teammates, and fans, but I couldn’t do it.”
Despite the disappointment, Susaki vowed to continue her journey towards becoming an Olympic champion. “As long as there are people who still support me and believe in me, I am strongly willing to keep going hard again,” she said.
Phogat’s disqualification was a setback, but her earlier victories showcased her resilience and determination. She remains a role model for aspiring wrestlers and a source of inspiration for Indian sports fans.
