Vinesh Phogat makes winning return! Bags gold in Ukraine Wrestling event
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Kyiv (Ukraine), Mar 1: Star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat made an impressive comeback to the mat since the coronavirus-forced break as she defeated 2017 world champion Vanesa Kaladzinskay to bag a gold medal in the women's 53-kg category at XXIV Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial in Kyiv.
Vinesh Phogat pinned down world number seven Vanesa Kaladzinskaya of Belarus in the finals to win the gold medal. Being in the finals and the long break, it was a difficult bout to win as both of them were going for consistent attacks in the do-or-die match.
Vinesh Phogat, world No. 3, opened up a 4-0 lead with a throw which she initiated with a left-leg attack but Kaladzinskay made it 4-4 with her brilliant move. Vinesh took the break leading 6-4, adding to her score with a take down, 10 seconds before the break.
The Belarusian put pressure on the Indian with another four-point throw but with 25 seconds to go, Vinesh Phogat ’s move fetched her four more points for a 10-8 lead. She got into a position from where she pinned Kaladzinskay to ensure herself a gold.
"It is a winning return for #TOPSAthlete @Phogat_Vinesh as she wins the gold medal in the women's 53 kg at the #OutstandingUkrainianWrestlersAndCoachesMemorial event after beating World #7 and 2017 World Champion Vanesa Kaladzinskaya 10-8 in the final," SAI Media tweeted.
The Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold medalist had defeated Romania's Ana A by fall in the semi-final on Saturday to reach the summit clash.
Since the coronavirus halted all competitions last year, it was the first competition for Vinesh, who is the only Indian woman wrestler to have qualified for the Tokyo Games for the 53kg category.
Now, the 26-year-old will be seen in action in the season's first ranking tournament from March 4-7 in Rome.