2024-08-07 06:28:32
New Delhi: Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist wrestler Bajrang Punia on Tuesday described wrestler Vinesh Phogat as the ‘lioness of India’, who secured a place in the semi-finals with her first two wins at the Paris Olympics. Vinesh made it to the semi-finals by defeating defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan and higher-ranked Ukrainian Oxana Livach in the opening bout of the women’s 50kg category on Tuesday. Bajrang wrote on ‘X’, ‘Vinesh Phogat is the lioness of India who won two consecutive matches today. She defeated the four-time world champion and the reigning Olympic champion. After that, she defeated the former world champion (bronze medallist) in the quarter-finals.’ Bajrang, Vinesh and former Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik led a long sit-in in Delhi early last year against the alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers by former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Bajrang wrote, ‘But let me tell you one thing, this girl was kicked in her country, this girl was dragged on the streets in her country. This girl is going to win the world but was defeated by the ‘system’ in this country.’ Vinesh defeated former European champion and 2018 World Championship bronze medalist Livach 7-5 in the quarter-finals. Bajrang then wrote in another post, ‘I cannot understand how to react to Vinesh’s victory. I cannot know whether we are happy or crying. The whole of India is waiting for this medal. Everyone’s eyes are moist. It seems as if Vinesh is not alone but all the women of the whole country are fighting.’
He wrote, ‘Vinesh, you are truly born to set a record. Even after facing so many difficulties, you are still focused on the goal. Our only prayer is that this gold comes to India.’ Vinesh will face Cuba’s Yusnelis Guzman Lopez in the final four match tonight. A win in this match will ensure her silver medal. Whereas after losing, she will have to play the bronze medal playoff.
A video has also been shared from the official Instagram account of the Congress party, in which policemen can be seen jostling with Vinesh Phogat. In this demonstration held at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, the police tried to forcefully drive away Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia who were sitting on a dharna.
(With inputs from agency)