Paris Olympics 2024: When and where to watch Vinesh Phogat’s gold-medal wrestling bout

Paris Olympics 2024: On August 6, Vinesh became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final, beating, among others, the reigning champ Yui Susaki

Vinesh Phogat books first-ever final spot in her third Olympics

In her third Olympics appearance, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat is on the threshold of bringing home a definite medal, her first ever, the colour of which depends on the outcome of her final match with Sarah Hildebrandt on Thursday. The final match in the 50 kg wrestling event is expected to be held just past midnight, making it the wee hours of August 8. The match for the gold and silver medals in the category will be at approximately 12.30 am on August 8. Viewers in India can catch the action live on Sports Network 18 or on JioCinema.

Vinesh Phogat's route to the 50kg freestyle wrestling final at Paris Olympics

On August 6, unseeded competitor Vinesh took the ring to begin her medal quest with a bout against defending champion and World No.1 wrestler, Yui Susaki of Japan, which she then followed up with wins over Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarter-finals and Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman in the semi-final to set up her first-ever Olympic final match. Her winning streak ensured that Vinesh became the first Indian woman wrestler at an Olympic final, although the credit of being the first Indian woman to win a medal in the sport rests with Sakshi Malik, when she got a bronze in Rio in 2016.

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Vinesh’s opponent, Sarah Hildebrandt’s route to the final includes wins over Algeria’s Ibtissem Doudou, China’s Feng Ziqi, and Mongolia’s Dolgorjavyn Otgonjargal. Ranked sixth in the world, Hildebrandt is a former Olympic medallist, having won a bronze at the Tokyo Games four years ago.

Also on August 6, India’s other medal hope, men’s javelin throw defending champion Neeraj Chopra sealed a spot in the final with a qualification topping throw across the pool of 32 competitors. The final event will be on August 8 as well. India’s hockey team, though, stumbled in their attempt to better their bronze medal finish from Tokyo, when they lost to Germany. They will play for the bronze against Spain on August 8 at 530 pm.

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