‘I Believed in Myself’, Says Vinesh After Winning Worlds Bronze

Vinesh Phogat speaks after winning the bronze medal at the 2019 Wrestling World Championships.

(Photo: UWW)

After becoming the first Indian wrestler to secure an Olympic quota for the 2020 Tokyo Games, Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat on Wednesday ended her medal drought at Wrestling World Championships by winning a bronze.

Vinesh beat two-time world bronze medalist Maria Prevolaraki of Greece by fall in the bronze medal bout of 53 kg freestyle category. She is only the fifth Indian female wrestler to win a medal at the meet.

Earlier, Vinesh won both her matches in the repechage round of the 53-kg weight category to seal a quota for the Tokyo Olympics.

“I have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics so now I will have adequate time to just focus and prepare for the Olympics. The burden that comes with trying to book a qualifying spot is now not a concern for me.”

Vinesh

This is Vinesh’s first World Championships medal after failing to finish on the podium the last four times. After winning the gold medal in the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games in 2018, Vinesh had to pull out of the World Championships last year due to an injury.

“I have been trying for the last four years but this is my first World Championship medal and it was quite difficult this time because the competition is so tough. When we see the draw one does think how we can beat so many top players but I worked hard and believed in myself and I think that’s what paid off.”

Vinesh