Wrestler Vinesh Phogat secures Paris 2024 berth with semifinal win at Asian Olympic Qualifiers

Two-time World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat on Saturday secured her berth for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in the women's 50 KG category in wrestling.

Phogat clinched the quota after her semifinal win in the ongoing Asian Olympic Qualifiers. The Indian defeated Kazakhstan’s Laura Ganikyzy via technical superiority 10-0 in 4 minutes and 18 seconds.

The 29-year-old will now face Aktenge Keunimjaeva of Uzbekistan in the final.

Meanwhile, another Indian wrestler, Anshu Malik confirmed her ticket to Paris with an easy victory over Uzbekistan’s Laylokhon Sobirova via technical superiority 11-0 in just 02:48 minutes in the women's 57 KG category.

Vinesh Phogat returns to wrestling following a prolonged break due to the wrestlers' protest against ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in 2023.

Phogat was also underwent a surgery for a knee injury ahead of the Asian Games last year.