Paris Olympics 2024: Vinesh Phogat Seals Semifinal Spot in Women’s 50kg Freestyle, Defeats

Vinesh Phogat’s dream run in the Paris Olympics continues after her overhaul of the reigning champion, as the Indian wrestler got the better of Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals of the 50kg Women’s Freestyle event at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday.

Phogat showcased her experience and vigilance as she surgically dismantled Livach 7-5 to seal her spot in the semifinal.

Phogat came out with the intention to snatch the early lead, swopping the Ukrainian Livach to her feet and taking 2 early points.

What followed till the halfway mark was defense from Phogat’s end as Livach tried to consistently break through Phogat, but the Indian held her nerve and composure to cling onto the lead till halftime.

It was more of the same that followed in the remaining half, as the Indian came out the gate aggressively to keep her lead intact and initiate yet another takedown of the Ukrainian in order to land two more points.

A frustrated Livach tried her best to go for the leg takedown on Phogat with less than a minute and a half remaining, and she finally made some progress, snatching away 2 points, while Phogat took one away with a reversal, as both women stood at 5-2, in favour of Phogat with a little over a minute left.

Livach would continue to attack Phogat’s legs, going for the one leg takedown to score yet couple of points off the Indian. But, the Indian would go on to challenge the call, and ultimately lose it, thereby allowing Livach to close the gap to just one point away from Vinesh.

Understanding the need to go on the offense and take control, Phogat would utilise the frsutration of Livach to turn her around on herself and pin her down for another 2 points.

With 3.5 seconds left, Livach would have wrestled her way to another point, but it wouldn’t be enough as Phogat would seal the deal 7-5.

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