In her quest to become first Indian woman wrestler to finish at top podium at World Wrestling Championships, Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat faces a path littered with some of biggest names from wrestling world as women’s freestyle events get underway in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan on September 16. It would need marquee grappler to summon her very best as she returns to elite competition a year after having pulled out due to elbow injury.

Phogat- three-time gold winner

25-year-old switched to 53kg from 50kg and despite some initial struggles, she has found her groove, as evident by her three gold medals at Yasar Dagu, Poland Open and Spain Open. A bronze at Asian Championships along with a couple of silver medals at Dan Kolov and Medved International tournaments gave eugh testimony to fact that star wrestler was beginning to find her comfort level even in her new weight category.

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Vinesh Phogat to face familiar opponents 

For Vinesh to show that confidence and conviction, and earn a medal for India, she has to overcome some familiar opponents. In qualifying rounds, seventh seed faces Rio Olympic bronze medallist Sofia Mattson and a win over her will fetch her a chance to compete against two-time world champion Mayu Mukaida of Japan. If Vinesh can man to overcome that hurdle, last year’s World Championships runner-up and top seed Sarah Hildebrandt will await in quarter-finals. While Vinesh has got better of both Mattson and Hildebrandt this season, Mukaida stopped her at continental event in April.

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Or Indian women wrestlers at tournament

In 50kg, all Indian hopes will rest on shoulders of second seed Seema Bisla, who won gold at Yasar Dogu 2019 Ranking Series tournament in July. higher seeding doesn’t exempt her from facing a quality opponent as early as opening round and she could possibly begin her campaign against three-time Olympic medallist Mariya Stadnik of Azerbaijan. A win will put her in way of eir European Games bronze medallist Miglena Selishka or Yasar Dagu silver medallist Ekaterina Poleshchuk. Lalita Sehrawat, former Commonwealth Games silver medallist and Asian Championships bronze medallist, will be representing India in 55kg. As 12th seed, she kicks off her challenge against Mongolia’s Bat Ochir, 13th seed. A win will set up a possible quarter-final showdown with America’s third seed Jacarra Winchester.In 72kg, sixth-seeded Komal Bhagwan Gole will be in contention for a berth in quarter-finals when she faces off against Turkey’s accomplished Beste Altug. Should she man a win re, she has a tough proposition in next round as she will have to square off against top seed Zhamila Bakbergeva of Kazakhstan.

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