The 26-year-old Wrestler Vinesh Phogat gave herself some crucial ‘mat-time’ ahead of the Olympics also proving that her preparations for the Tokyo Games are on track by winning the 53kg gold at the Poland Open on Friday.
It is the third title of the season for the Star Indian Wrestler Vinesh, who claimed gold medals at the Asian Championship (April) and Matteo Pellicone Event (March) earlier. The victory would potentially make Vinesh the top seed at the Tokyo Olympics. Vinesh wasn’t troubled by any of her other rivals except for her opening bout against 2019 World bronze (50kg) winner Ekaterina Poleshchuk, as she conceded only two points en route to the top place on the podium.
She did not concede a single point to Ukraine’s Khrystyna Bereza in the final, winning 8-0. Vinesh took most of her points through double-leg attacks while the 2019 European silver medallist Bereza was on the defensive throughout.
The World bronze winner and Asian Games champion had to battle hard against Poleshchuk before prevailing 6-2 but needed only 75 seconds to pin her American rival Amy Ann Fearnside in the semifinals.
It was a tough start for Vinesh as she was up against Ekaterina, whose defence was pretty stro
Vinesh went for a left-leg attack but the Russian took the Indian down on counter for a 2-0 lead which she maintained throughout the first period. Moments before the break, Vinesh initiated another move but could not complete.
