Vinesh Phogat is one victory away from obtaining his quota for the Paris Olympics – Firstpost
Earlier, Vinesh defeated Korean Miran Cheon by technical superiority to win the first round of the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament.
Indian ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat reached the semi-finals of the women’s 50kg event at the Asian Olympic wrestling qualifiers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Saturday, leaving herself with just one win before securing a quota for the Paris Olympics for the Games later this year. Vinesh started with a victory over Korean Miran Cheon thanks to his technical superiority in the first round.
Her next fight against Smanang Dit of Cambodia lasted just over a minute as Vinesh pinned her to advance to the semi-finals. In the semifinals, Vinesh will face Laura Ganikyzy of Kazakhstan in the Olympic quota bout on Saturday evening. The fight will take place at 5:30 p.m. IST.
Vinesh is not the only one getting closer to qualifying for the Paris Olympics. Anshu Malik and U23 world champion Reetika also reached the semi-finals of their respective categories and like Vinesh, Anshu and Reetika are one win away from securing a quota for the Paris Olympics.
Vinesh, who had won the selection trials in March, is competing in the 50 kg category and not the 53 kg category. If she fails to secure an Olympic quota in the 50kg category, Vinesh can still be in contention for the 53kg category, the category in which Antim Panghal, who has already sealed a quota. Antim, however, would be invited to fight Vinesh in a final test which would prove her worth in the 53kg category.
