Vinesh Phogat opened India's medals account in this edition of World Wrestling Championship in Noor Sultan, Kazakhstan, by bagging bronze in the women's 53 kg category beating two-time World medallist Maria Prevolaraki of Greece in the third place play-off today. Vinesh though started slowly but soon used her experience to take full grip and control over her opponent to pin her down to win a strongly contested bronze medals play off.

Qualifying for Tokyo Olympics 2020

Earlier, Vinesh Phogat (53 kg) had defeated World Silver medallist Sarah Hildebrandt 8-2 in the second repechage round and had qualified for the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Vinesh was too good for her American opponent and dominated the bout from the beginning and never allowed her opponent a grip in the bout. In today's first repechage, Vinesh defeated Ukraine's Yuliia Khavaldzhy 5-0 in a one-sided match while Seema Bisla (50 kg) got the better off Nigeria's Miesinnie Genesis 9-9 on criteria. Last night, Vinesh and Seema remained in the hunt for a bronze medal as they reached the repechage round in their respective categories.

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Quest for a maiden medal 

Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh had begun her quest for a maiden medal from the world event with a thunderous 13-0 win over Rio Olympic bronze medallist Sofia Mattsson of Sweden. Even though it sparked hopes of gold, her next bout against the reigning World Champion Mayu Mukaida of Japan proved tough.

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Babita Phogat on sister's win

The CWG Champion and Vinesh's sister Babita Phogat has congratulated Vinesh on bagging bronze and entering the Tokyo Olympics 2020. "Vinesh is the first female to enter the Tokyo Olympics 2020 through the World Wrestling Championship which I am extremely proud of," she said. Babita has further thanked Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, the President of Wrestling Federation, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, for taking wrestling as a sport to another level, and Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar for bringing wrestling into focus.

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