On This Day in 2024: When Vinesh Phogat took down the unbeatable

A sports journalist passionate about the moments that go beyond the scoreboard.

Published at :August 6, 2025 at 10:24 PM

Modified at :August 6, 2025 at 10:24 PM

(Courtesy : David Ramos/Getty Images)

Despite disqualification, Vinesh Phogat had created history at the Paris Olympics 2024.

August 6, 2024 — On this day, Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat stood on the brink of making Olympic history. She had stormed her way into the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling final at Paris Olympics 2024, defeating some of the world’s best, including reigning Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan.

It was supposed to be a day of glory. But fate had other plans.

Just hours before the gold medal match on August 7, 2024 against the USA’s Sarah Ann Hildebrandt, Vinesh was disqualified for exceeding the weight limit by the narrowest of margins 100 grams — denying her a guaranteed silver and a shot at gold.

However, just a day earlier, the three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist had already scripted one of Indian wrestling’s greatest moments. In the opening round, she stunned the Japanese legend and defending champion Susaki.

Phogat followed that up with a win over former European champion Oksana Livach of Ukraine in the quarterfinals, and then overcame Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman, the reigning Pan American champion, in a tense semifinal.

On This Day, Star Indian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Created History 🤩 🇮🇳Vinesh defeated 🇯🇵 undefeated Yui Susaki in Paris Olympics 🤼‍♀️Before this match, Susaki was unbeaten 82-0 in International bouts 😬#VineshPhogat #Wrestling pic.twitter.com/wLD5eBRcSA
— Khel Now (@KhelNow) August 6, 2025

The battle for a place in the finals was a little tactical. Vinesh earned the lead after Guzman was penalized for passivity. She then landed two takedowns, finishing with a 5–0 score. That guaranteed her and India a medal.

Also, it was India’s first-ever final spot in women’s wrestling at the Olympics in history. Earlier, Sakshi Malik became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in wrestling, having clinched bronze at Rio 2016.

Also Read: Top 10 greatest Indian wrestlers of all-time

Everything seemed destined for gold… until the heartbreaking disqualification, crushed all the hopes.

The final was scheduled for the next day, but the Indian was disqualified after exceeding the weight limit in the final weigh-in check.

As a result, Yusneylis Guzman, whom Vinesh had defeated in the semi-finals, was reinstated into the gold medal match. USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt went on to win the Olympic title.

Why was Vinesh Phogat disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024 before the final?

Vinesh Phogat was disqualified just hours before the women’s 50kg final at the Paris Olympics 2024 for exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams during the final weigh-in.

Who did Phogat beat at Paris Olympics?

At the Paris Olympics 2024, Vinesh Phogat had defeated reigning Olympic champion Yui Susaki (Japan) in the opening round, Oksana Livach (Ukraine), former European champion in the quarterfinals and in the semi-finals Yusneylis Guzman (Cuba).

How many Indian women have won Olympic medals in wrestling?

Only one, Sakshi Malik. She bagged Bronze at Rio 2016 (58kg category)

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Uzma Fatima

Uzma Fatima is a passionate sports journalist who believes every match has a story waiting to be told. Whether it's the grace of Olympic champions, the grit of tennis and badminton battles, or the drama of cricket’s highs and heartbreaks — she loves capturing the emotion behind the action. Off the field, she’s a Formula 1 enthusiast who never misses a race weekend.