Grapplers Vinesh, Anshu seal Paris Olympics quota
Vinesh, one of the main faces of the wrestlers’ protest last year, defeated Kazakhstan’s Laura Ganikyzy in the 50kg semifinal to inch closer to competing at her third straight Olympics.
Vinesh, one of the main faces of the wrestlers’ protest last year, defeated Kazakhstan’s Laura Ganikyzy in the 50kg semifinal to inch closer to competing at her third straight Olympics.
The continental qualifier, which concludes on April 21, will be the penultimate opportunity for Indian wrestlers to secure a quota for the upcoming Summer Games.
She also sought permission to participate in both the 50kg and 53kg trials, leading to confusion and delays at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) center in Patiala. Vinesh’s antics led to the competitions being held up for a good 2.5 hours.
The suspended WFI had recently conducted their own Nationals in Pune, which the ministry went on to describe as an ‘unsanctioned event’.
The Indian wrestler won his 61kg freestyle bronze medal bout 10-4 against Kairat Amirtayev of Kazakhstan.
The 24-year-old wrestler from the village Nahri in Sonipat district, Haryana, will now be preparing for the upcoming world championships next month and will be hoping to add to the bronze he won in Nur Sultan in 2019.
Vinesh completed the clean sweep, beating Chamodya Keshani Maduravalage Don by fall to end the tournament with a flawless record.
Deepak was at his most dominant in this match which lasted for three minutes and 22 seconds. He crushed his New Zealand opponent by 10-0.
Overall, the Indian Greco-Roman team finished fifth with 82 points.
A physical duel has traditionally been an important tool for conflict resolution in Naga society