Vinesh Phogat's Credits Coach's Strategic Shift For the Victory Over Japan's Yui Susaki at Olympics

As Vinesh Phogat me it to final of women's 50kg wrestling competition at 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, she garnered attention. She was disqualified on last day for being overweight, refore she was unable to compete in much-anticipated final match. This gave rise to disappointment.

Also Re: Aston Villa wins on its return to Europe's top tier after 41 years

Vinesh Phogat reveals how she pulled one of biggest upsets of Paris Olympics 2024 

By beating Yui Susaki, Japanese wrestler with an outstanding 82-0 international record, Vinesh Phogat stunned everyone in first round of 50kg division at Paris Olympics . Early on, Vinesh well defended against a dangerous leg assault and gave up two penalty points for inactivity. In last seconds, she launched a strong counterattack to guarantee her triumph over famous athlete.

Vinesh thanks Woller Akos, her coach, for victory as he pushed her to rethink her initial all-out attack plan. Speaking to Indian Express, Vinesh Phogat said: 

way Coach Woller understands me, I don’t think any or coach can. Till eve of bout against Susaki, my plan was different from what coach h in mind. My plan was to attack. I h decided in my he that I would attack and n she would attack. Chhay minute tak jiska dam jya hoga, nikal jayegi (Whoever is stronger in six minutes, she will win),”

Her coach drew her aside on day Vinesh was playing against Suski to caution her against approaching Japanese champion aggressively. She ded: 

“ coach told me that to beat someone like Susaki, re is only one way — keep her down to one or two points. And keep it like that till almost end. In last 30 seconds, coach told me I should give my best performance. Do what I can to attack, push, pull… but attack in those last 30 seconds only,” Vinesh said, ding that she didn’t have to worry about Susaki attacking body.

“Susaki’s main target is leg. Japanese wrestlers don’t generally attack upper body. y strengn ir position using upper body but ir target is lower body. I didn’t have to worry about an upper body attack where she would execute a throw or a dhobi.”

“ coach told me that I will concede first point because of passivity. And if I keep defending, I will be docked again for passivity. (Vinesh conceded a point in each of rounds after being put on passivity clock). He told me not to be under pressure even if I give away points for passivity, but not to concede more than two points. key was to keep an eye on clock to note when it came down to last 30 seconds. coach told me ‘you are an experienced wrestler’ and that I will be able to do that. He said he would also try and alert me about clock.”

Susaki is known for aggressively attacking her competitors with unrelenting pressure. She lunged for Vinesh's legs in latter minutes of first round, but Vinesh deftly repelled attack. This turned out to be quite a turning point in game.

Vinesh progressed to 50kg weight class final after defeating Suski. She was unfortunately discovered to be 100 grammes above limit on second weigh-in on day of final and was disqualified, reby departing without a medal.