Having thrashed current number 1 Sarah Ann Hilderbrandt 8-2 in the repechage at the World Championships in Kazakhstan, Vinesh Phogat has booked her berth for the Tokyo Olympics, 2020.
Vinesh earlier defeated Ukraine’s Yulia K Blahinya 5-0 in the first round of 53 kilograms category, to get India its first Olympics quota in wrestling.
Vinesh Phogat is going to Tokyo! pic.twitter.com/rOi0ma49El
— Vinay Siwach (@siwachvinay) September 18, 2019
The two victories meant her entry into the top-6 at the World Championships, which ensured her place in the Olympics. As per the rules, 6 top contenders book a seat for the big event.
First Indian woman wrestler to qualify for Olympics VINESH PHOGAT!
— Vinay Siwach (@siwachvinay) September 18, 2019
She beats Sarah Hilderbrandt of USA 8-2 to book her ticket to Tokyo and a bronze medal bout at the World Championships! #WrestleNursultan
Vinesh had lost to Japan’s Mayu Mukaida in the round-of-16 but Mayu reached the final, hence giving Vinesh a second chance to make it through repechage.
And she is going to Tokyo Olympics 2020!👏
— ALL INDIA RADIO (@AkashvaniAIR) September 18, 2019
Wrestler #VineshPhogat (@Phogat_Vinesh ) qualifies for #TokyoOlympics 2020 in the 53kg category. Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/Bu1cv3K6qy