In a sparkling show by India’s women wrestlers at the Under-17 World Championships, four grapplers annexed the titles in Amman (Jordan) on August 22, and at least two more are in gold medal contention.
Aditi Kumari (43kg), Neha (57kg), Pulkit (65kg) and Mansi Lather (73kg) won world titles in their respective categories with remarkable ease. Kajal (69kg) and Shrutika Patil (46kg) will also compete in the gold medal bouts on Friday after making the finals.
India can bag more medals as Raj Bala (40kg) will compete in the bronze playoff while Muskan (53kg) and Rajnita (61kg) are still in contention for podium finishes by making the repechage round. India are now certain to win the women’s team trophy despite not fielding a wrestler in the 49kg weight class.
Aditi emerged champion after blanking Maria Louiza Gkika of Greece 7-0 in the title clash. Neha overpowered Japan’s So Tsuitsui as she stood out with her double-leg attacks. Neha hardly gave a chance to her rival in the gold medal bout. Pulkit faced Daria Frolova, who is competing as a neutral athlete, and won 6-3. She was leading 5-0 but conceded a pushout point and caution late in the bout that allowed Frolova to gain three points. Frolova made a desperate attempt to get the winning move but Pulkit defended well in the final 20 seconds to claim the title.
Mansi raced to a 5-0 lead against Hanna Pirskaya and then found a way to pin her rival, ending the bout in style. India also won two bronze medals in the Greco-Roman category with Ronak Dahiya and Sainath Pardhi (51kg) ending on the podium.
Vinesh Phogat’s brand value skyrockets after Paris Olympics 2024
Vinesh Phogat had a memorable, but disappointing Paris Olympics 2024 campaign. It was supposed to be a moment of redemption, but it became a stuttering end to her glittering career. With Antil Panghal in her weight category, she had to drop down to 50 kg and qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024.
According to Economic Times, Vinesh’s performances in Paris caught the entire’s nation’s attention and her endorsement fee has also taken a huge surge. She reportedly charged Rs 25 lakh for each endorsement deal before Paris 2024, and has increased it in the region of Rs 75 lakh and 1 crore for a single brand.
Vinesh also returnedto India to a rousing welcome. He was feted by several supporters and khap panchayats as she made her way to her village Balali. Hundreds of supporters were outside the IGI airport and welcomed her to the beats of dhol, as she made her way out.
With at least silver expected, tragedy struck ahead of the gold medal bout. In the weigh-in for the final, Vinesh was 100 gm overweight and was therefore disqualified. Stunned by the decision, she appealed to the CAS, and also announced her retirement. The CAS verdict also didn’t go to her side.