Here’s how Vinesh Phogat Shocks the World with Victory Over Yui Susaki
In an unexpected turn of events, Japanese wrestler Yui Susaki, one of the sport’s most difficult opponents, was defeated by Indian wrestling phenom Vinesh Phogat. Phogat’s surprising victory cemented his place as a rising star on the international scene and sent shockwaves through the wrestling fraternity.
Tuesday in the opening round of the women’s 50 kg freestyle wrestling competition at the Paris Olympics, Vinesh Phogat accomplished something that is thought to be impossible in the wrestling community: she defeated Japan’s unbreakable champion, Yui Susaki, 3-2.
Susaki had never lost an international match before, but that one concluded with Vinesh collapsing to the ground and tears streaming down her face. In contrast, the Japanese player was experiencing a seismic shock, which was mirrored on her incredulous expression.
Susaki may weigh 50 kilograms, but in women’s wrestling, the 25-year-old is a titan. She is the reigning world champion, the current champion, the gold medallist from Tokyo, and the winner of the championship without dropping a single point in her native nation.
But giants have been defeated by Phogat before. She was there, winning the 2018 Asian Games over Yuki Irie of Japan—who, incidentally, is one of the few persons in history to have defeated Yui Susaki. Now that Phogat has joined that list, Japan’s continued pursuit of the global order in women’s freestyle wrestling is threatened.
Both wrestlers got off to a quiet start. Like all of the competitors in the 50 kg class, Phogat entered the competition as a clear underdog. However, the Indian’s beginning was planned. She was deducted a passivity point in the first session since she decided not to use any energy at all.
Susaki appeared satisfied with a point in the first session, but Vinesh effortlessly thwarted her attempt with a takedown. Vinesh just splayed herself and kept her legs out of the way of her opponent’s probing arms.
At first, the second period was much the same. Although they were engaged in an armlock the entire time, neither wrestler attempted a takedown. Not long after, Phogat lost another passivity point, making the final score 2-0.
Susaki must have thought at this moment that Phogat was trying to save her energy for the repechage rounds. However, the Indian had other ideas and launched a surprise attack on the world champion for 2023. The Japanese attempted to sidestep the fast lunge at Susaki’s upper body by going outside the marked. Vinesh, though, leaned forward and held on. Following a referral, the referee raised the Indian’s hand, completing the goal of upsetting the star of the renowned women’s Japanese wrestling show.
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