Star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat bagged the gold medal in the women’s 53kg event as she beat world No.7 and 2017 World Champion Vanesa Kaladzinskaya 10-8 in the final of the XXIV Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers And Coaches Memorial event on Sunday. Vinesh had won gold at the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games as well as the 2018 Asian Games.
This was Vinesh’s first tournament post the coronavirus lockdown and it’s been a winning return for the top Indian wrestler against the reigning European 53kg champion and a two-time world champion.
What do you do when you are fighting the reigning European champion (and Former World Champ) and are 2 points down in the final with 30 seconds to go?You attack with everything you’ve got – Skill + Tenacity + Strength all distilled into one move.
Masterclass by Vinesh Phogat. pic.twitter.com/ncLEhhEQEF
— Rahul Chaudhary (@7rahulc) February 28, 2021
Up against the world number seven Belarusian, it was not an easy bout for the world number three Indian as the two grapplers kept testing each other with consistent attacks in the sea-saw battle in which Vinesh prevailed. Vinesh opened up a 4-0 lead in the 53kg final with a throw which she initiated with a left-leg attack but Kaladzinskay made it 4-4 with her brilliant move.
Vinesh took the break leading 6-4, adding to her score with a takedown, 10 seconds before the break. Trailing 6-8 in the last 36 seconds, Vinesh defended an attacking move from Vanesa beautifully and turned it around into an attack of her own to bag four points that eventually got her the victory.
In the semi-final game against Romanian Anna A, Vinesh Phogat had pulled off an incredible takedown where she first defended against her and then went on the attack. She grabbed hold of one leg of Anna and completely put her on the backfoot. She then held both her legs and lifted her, turned around and pinned her to the floor.
Wait for it! Vinesh ???? pic.twitter.com/3fifXV5PdC— Vinay Siwach (@siwachvinay) February 27, 2021
Vinesh is the only Indian woman wrestler to have qualified for the Tokyo Games. Asked about her defence, Vinesh’s Belgian coach Woller Akos said he would speak only after he discusses the bout with his ward.
The next tournament for Vinesh is UWW ranking series event — Matteo Pellicone in Italy, where fellow Tokyo Qualifiers Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya will also be seen in action from March 4-7.
(With PTI inputs)
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