Vinesh Phogat Gives India Its First Women’s Wrestling Gold Medal At Asian Games 

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat gave India its first Women’s Wrestling gold medal at the Asian Games and raised the nation’s tally to two golds at the ongoing games in Indonesia’s Jakarta and Palembang, Indian Express has reported.

Phogat defeated Japan's Yuki Irie 6-2 in the 50 kg category on Monday (20 August). She started strongly in the first round by taking a 4-0 lead, but her opponent eventually reduced the gap to two points. She later added two more points to her tally to cement the victory.

Vinesh is the cousin of wrestlers Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari who are all commonly known as the Phogat Sister.

Such a victory comes after she was left bitterly disappointed at the 2016 Rio Olympics where she was forced to withdraw from the second round 48 kg freestyle round after suffering a twisted knee.

Some of the feathers in Phogat’s cap include gold medals at 2014, 2018 commonwealth games and the bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games.

This is the second gold medal for India at the ongoing Asian Games after Bajrang Punia gave the nation its first gold by winning the Men’s 65 kg freestyle wrestling category.

Following his victory, Punia famously dedicated his gold medal to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.