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Vinesh Phogat made history at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the final in Olympic wrestling. She defeated Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 at the Champ-de-Mars Arena to secure at least a silver medal for India. This will be India's fourth medal at the Paris Olympics, with the first three won by shooters.

Phogat started her campaign impressively by defeating four-time world and defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan with a late takedown, winning 3-2 in the 50-kilogram division. Susaki had never conceded a point while winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics and had an 83-match winning streak until Phogat's victory. Phogat continued her winning streak by beating Ukraine's Oksana Livach 7-5 in the quarterfinals and then Guzman Lopez in the semifinals.

After her semifinal win, Phogat made an emotional video call to her mother. During the call, she blew kisses, gave a thumbs up, and promised, "Gold lana hai! Gold (I will bring gold)."

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Overcoming past challenges

Phogat's journey to this point has been challenging. She tore her anterior cruciate ligament during the 2016 Olympics quarterfinals and was taken out on a stretcher. In the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, she lost in the quarterfinals of the 53kg category by fall. After this loss, she faced off-field troubles, including accusations of misconduct and suspension by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Despite considering retirement, she decided to fight back against the system. With support from fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, she accused the former WFI chief of sexual misconduct. This ongoing battle affected her career, as Antim Panghal secured the Paris Olympics spot in the 53kg category in her absence.

Phogat eventually qualified for the Paris Olympics in the 50kg category. She will now wrestle American Sarah Hildebrandt for the gold medal on Wednesday. Hildebrandt reached the final by defeating Mongolia's Otgonjargal Dolgorjav 5-0 in the second semifinal.

Phogat's perseverance and determination have brought her to this historic moment, and she hopes to win gold for India.