Wrestler Vinesh Phogat advances to Grand Prix of Spain final
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India's two-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat has advanced to the final of the women's 50kg category at the Grand Prix of Spain, an international continental wrestling championship held on Saturday.
Phogat's participation in the event came after a last-minute successful appeal for her delayed Spanish visa, which she received just hours before departure.
Despite the setback, Phogat dominated her matches to secure a spot in the final, where she will face Mariia Tiumerekova, a former Russian wrestler now competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN).
Phogat, who competed in the women's 53kg category at the Tokyo Olympic Games, began her campaign with a decisive Round 1 victory over Yusneylis Guzman, a Pan-American and Central American champion from Cuba, defeating her 12-4 on points.
In the quarterfinals, the 29-year-old from Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, triumphed over Madison Parks of Canada, a silver medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, by pinning her down. Phogat continued her winning streak in the semifinals by defeating another Canadian, Katie Dutchak, 9-4, securing her place in the final.
Following the Grand Prix of Spain, Phogat plans to attend a training camp in Spain before heading to France in preparation for the Paris Olympic Games, which commence on July 26.