Vinesh Phogat’s Late Takedown Stunned Yui Susaki in Paris
Vinesh Phogat defeated defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki 3–2 in their women’s freestyle 50kg opening match on August 6, 2024. A late takedown overturned Susaki’s lead and produced one of the Paris wrestling tournament’s most striking upsets.
The decisive attack came near the horn
Susaki earned both of her points from the activity clock while Phogat concentrated on defense. The Japanese champion remained ahead as the final seconds approached.
Phogat then knocked Susaki off balance and completed a takedown with about five seconds left. The two-point move tied the score with criteria favoring Phogat, and Japan’s unsuccessful challenge added the final point to the 3–2 result.
Two more wins followed that day
Phogat held off Ukraine’s Oksana Livach 7–5 in the quarterfinals. She then defeated Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzmán López 5–0 to reach the gold-medal match.
That opening victory was Susaki’s first defeat against an international opponent. The defending champion had entered Paris after winning the Tokyo Olympic title without conceding a point.
The weigh-in changed the final outcome
Phogat failed the second-day weigh-in on August 7 and was disqualified. Guzmán replaced her in the final against Sarah Hildebrandt, while Susaki advanced to a bronze-medal contest against Livach.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed Phogat’s request for a shared silver medal on August 14. Her dramatic on-mat victory over Susaki therefore remained part of the tournament’s story alongside a disqualification that left her without an Olympic medal.
Sources
- UWW: decisive takedown, challenge and Livach quarterfinal
- UWW: official 50kg bout results
- UWW: failed weigh-in and replacement bracket
- CAS: August 14 dismissal of the shared-silver application
