Vinesh Phogat, Anshu bag quota for Paris Olympics after impressing in Asian Qualifiers

Indian grapplers Vinesh Phogat and Anshu have bagged the quota for the Paris Olympics on the back of impressive performances in the Asian Qualifiers. Phogat registered a big 10-0 win over Kazakhstan's Laura Ganikyzy in the 50 Kg semifinal, while Anshu defeated Laylokhon Sobirova 11-0 by technical superiority. The win takes them closer to represent India in the Olympics but does not confirm the Olympics place. 

The quota won by her belongs to the country and not to the individual. Vinesh defeated Ganikyzy by Technical superiority as she was dominant in the bout. She took two points and then took two more with a takedown in the dying stages of the opening round. After the first round, she



was leading 4-0 and then earned more when she rolled her opponent twice to win by 10-0.

Anshu also joined Vinesh as she bagged the quota in 57 Kg. She had a relatively easier path to the quota as only eight wrestlers competed in the weight category. She defeated Kyrgyzstan's Kalmira Bilimbekova first on Technical superiority and then proved too much for Uzbekistan's Laylokhon Sobirova in the semifinal.

Meanwhile, this was Vinesh's first International outing since suffering a knee injury in August for which a surgery was required. Notably, Reetika Hooda bagged the quota after beating Chinese Taipei’s Chang Hui Tz in the semifinal of the 76 Kg semifinal of the tournament.