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Vinesh Phogat has achieved a groundbreaking milestone for Indian sports by becoming the first female wrestler from India to reach the final at the Olympics. But how many other Indian wrestlers overall reached an Olympic final or gold medal match? Let's find out below.

Competing in the women's freestyle 50kg category at the Paris Olympics 2024, Vinesh secured her spot in the final with a commanding 5-0 victory over Cuba's Yusneylys Guzmán in the semifinals. This achievement guarantees her either a gold or silver medal. Let's take a look at the complete list of Indians who did this before, including hers.

Sushil Kumar - London 2012 Olympics

Sushil Kumar holds the distinction of being the first Indian wrestler to reach the finals of the Olympics. At the London 2012 Summer Games, Sushil competed in the men's freestyle 66kg category, where he faced a challenging draw. Despite the hurdles, he clinched the silver medal, becoming India's only individual two-time Olympic medalist, having previously won bronze at Beijing 2008.
Sushil's path to the final was a testament to his determination. He was six kilograms overweight before the competition but managed to meet the weight requirement before the cutoff date. In his opening match, Sushil defeated defending champion and Beijing 2008 gold medalist Ramazan Sahin of Turkey. He then advanced past Uzbekistan's Ikhtiyor Navruzo in the quarterfinals and Kazakhstan's Akzhurekh Tanatarov in the semifinals. Unfortunately, Sushil contracted a stomach bug before the final and lost to Tatuhiro Yonemitsu of Japan, earning a silver medal for his valiant effort.

Ravi Kumar Dahiya - Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Ravi Kumar Dahiya followed in Sushil Kumar's footsteps by becoming the second Indian wrestler to qualify for an Olympic final. Competing in the men's freestyle 57kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Ravi demonstrated extraordinary skill and tenacity.

Ravi's journey to the final was filled with dramatic moments. He began by defeating Colombia's Oscar Tigeros in the Round of 16 and Bulgaria's Georgi Vangelov in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Ravi faced Kazakhstan's Nurislam Sanayev.

Trailing 9-2, Ravi made an incredible comeback in the final seconds, executing a takedown and pinning Sanayev to win the bout by fall. This victory propelled him to the final, where he faced two-time world champion Zaur Uguev of the ROC. Despite a valiant effort, Ravi had to settle for silver, marking a significant achievement in his wrestling career.

Vinesh Phogat - Paris 2024 Olympics

Vinesh's path to the final has been marked by resilience. Her journey included a formidable challenge against top-seeded and World No. 1 wrestler Yui Susaki of Japan in the Round of 16. Susaki, the reigning Tokyo 2020 gold medalist, had an impeccable 82-0 record in major international competitions.

Vinesh, however, triumphed in a thrilling 3-2 match, showcasing her exceptional skill and tenacity. She continued her victorious run by defeating Ukraine's Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals and then overpowering Guzmán in the semis. With the final match on the horizon, the nation eagerly anticipates her performance, hoping she will bring home the gold.

Although she is the first female wrestler to qualify for the finals, she is the third Indian wrestler overall. Let's take a look on the other two wrestlers who achieved the milestone before her.