Istanbul: Ace Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat today became the fifth wrestler from the country and the first woman wrestler to seal a spot at the Rio Olympics 2016.
Phogat defeated Turkey’s Evin Demirhan in the semifinals of the final qualifying round in Istanbul today. Earlier, Phogat had defeated Korea’s Yumi Lee to get into the semis to qualify for the Olympics.
The 21-year-old wrestler clinched the contest in the 48-kg category to become the first Indian female wrestler to qualify for the big event.
Meanwhile, Sakshi Malik booked second spot for India after qualifying in the 58-kg category. She also won a silver medal for India in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Earlier, Phogat was disqualified from the first World Olympic qualifying event after being found overweight by 400 gm on April 23.
Phogat and Malik will join Yogeshwar Dutt, Narsingh Yadav, Sandeep Tomar and Hardeep Singh who have already qualified for the tournament.
