Vinesh Phogat’s Rio Olympics campaign has just met a heartbreaking end. The 21-year old was forced to concede her quarterfinal match against China’s Yanan Sun after injuring her knee during the bout.
An inconsolable Vinesh was stretchered off from the arena and the Chinese was declared the victor.
First point of the quarterfinal bout went to Vinesh with her Chinese opponent showing passivity but Sun Yanan soon hit back with a single-leg takedown to earn two points. The Chinese suddenly pinned the Indian down in an awkward position and Vinesh sustained an injury to her right knee, which forced her to forfeit the bout 1-2.
The 21-year-old was seen crying out in pain as she was treated for about five minutes before being stretchered off for medical treatment. She will not be able to fight in the repechage round even if the Chinese reach the final of 48kg.
“We all are awaiting MRI report but she cannot fight again,” India’s Chef de Mission, Rakesh Gupta said.
“It seems she has dislocated her right knee. The medical scan will exactly reveal the nature of the injury,” coach Kuldeep Singh added.
Earlier, the youngest of the Indian wrestlers in Rio, Vinesh had made it through to the quarterfinals of the 48 kg category with a commanding victory over Romania’s Alina Vuc in the opener. She had won the quarterfinal bout 11-0.
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