The anger expressed by Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and others during their agitation against the former president of WFI, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, invited fierce backlash on the former from some sections of the public. She has faced online abuse almost daily since her vocal opposition to WFI's decisions and an accusation of favoritism; an attempt to get a place in the team through unfair means by competing in multiple weight categories during the trials.
But Vinesh Phogat has turned her fortunes, notwithstanding the negative spotlight – some of it from her cousins as well – that had trolled her as a once-great athlete clinging to past glories. Tuesday saw the wrestler from Haryana stage a stunning comeback while booking her place in the semifinals in the women's 50kg category at the Paris Olympic Games.
Vinesh gave electrifying performances as she first defeated Japan's World No. 1 Yui Susaki in the pre-quarterfinals and then outsmarted Ukraine's Oksana Vasylivna Livach 7-5 in the quarterfinals. The Haryana wrestler was outstanding in her Olympic debut in the 50kg weight category as she tamed the four-time World Champion and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Yui Susaki. Even when she was being penalized for passivity, Vinesh did not lose her cool and went on to make a decisive attack in the final moments to seal the win.
Later, Vinesh met stiff resistance from Oksana Vasylivna Livach. After taking an early lead of 2-0, she had to stave off a gritty comeback by Oksana, who actually went ahead briefly. Vinesh's ability to recover and counterattack ensured her victory with a final score of 7-5.
The Olympics was no easy way out for Vinesh. Her stand against the WFI over wrestlers agitating against the alleged misconduct of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh had brought her under much scrutiny. She had faced severe criticism along with Sakshi and Bajrang and returned her government awards in protest. Having had to bear all this, combined with less than ideal preparation, Vinesh made it to the Paris Olympics only after going through grueling trials in multiple weight categories.
Her Olympic journey has been marked by setbacks, in the form of a serious injury at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and then turning in a poor show at the just concluded Tokyo Games. But Vinesh's resilience saw her fight back from injuries and controversies to clinch medals at the World Wrestling Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
With a decade-plus career and multiple accolades to her credit, including bronze at the World Championships and gold at the Commonwealth Games, Vinesh Phogat made this campaign at the Paris Olympics stand in testimony to her perseverance and skill, offering strong redemption among the adversities faced heading into the Games.
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