New Delhi: One of the six wrestlers who staged a protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Jantar Mantar, India’s Sangeeta Phogat made a remarkable comeback and won a bronze medal in the 59kg category at the Budapest Ranking Series 2023. On 15 July.
Phogat defeated local favorite Victoria Borsos
The two-time World Championship medalist showcased her prowess on the mat as she registered a stunning 6-2 win against U-20 World Championship silver medalist Viktoria Borsos of Hungary.
match scenario
The 25-year-old grappler faced early disappointment in the tournament but quickly turned around. Starting with a loss against USA’s Jennifer Page Rogers in the first round, she bounced back with a dominating victory over another American wrestler, Brenda Olivia Reyna in the third round and won by technical superiority.
In the semifinals, Sangeeta faced a tough fight against Magdalena Urszula Glodek of Poland. Although she displayed her defensive ability with double-leg moves, she was unable to convert them into points. Despite leading by scores of 2–0 and 4–2 in the game, Glodek’s counter-attacks turned the tide in his favor, eventually leading to a 6–4 victory.
wrestler fight against harassment
This bronze medal showed the determination and resilience of the wrestler at a time when many wrestlers were protesting against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh. Phogat shared her views on Twitter, in what seemed like an apparent dig at the WFI chief and expressed her support for those fighting against her.
“Congratulatory messages from all of you are reaching me, I am very emotional at the moment. Many thanks to all of you. This medal is not only mine but also yours,” said Phogat. “I dedicate this medal to all the fighting women of the world who are fighting against crimes against women.”
Messages of congratulations from all of you are reaching me, I am very emotional at this moment.
Many thanks to all of you. This medal is not mine only. all are medals of all of you
I dedicate this medal to all the fighting women of the world who are fighting against crimes against women. pic.twitter.com/FyJnqhaHVZ
— Sangeeta Phogat (@sangeeta_phogat) 15 July 2023
Wrestlers withdrew from the competition
Other Indian wrestlers, including Sarita Mor in the women’s 59kg category, Sujit in the men’s 65kg category and Greco-Roman wrestler Sunil Kumar in the 87kg category, were listed to compete in the Budapest meet but had already withdrawn from the tournament. Gone, reported ANI.
What is the Budapest Ranking Series?
The Budapest Ranking Series, better known as the Polić Imre and Varga Janos Memorial Wrestling Tournament, is the final Ranking Series event of the year. The Indian wrestlers have shown their potential throughout the season and have bagged bronze medals in both the Zagreb and Ibrahim Mustafa Ranking Series tournaments. In the Bishkek Ranking Series, India’s wrestling contingent won one gold, one silver and two bronze medals.