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Rediff.com  » Sports » Women's wrestling: Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik book Rio berth

Women's wrestling: Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik book Rio berth

May 07, 2016 18:43 IST
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Vinesh Phogat

IMAGE: File Photo of Vinesh Phogat of India (red). Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images.

Ace Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik created history by grabbing two spots in women’s wrestling for India for the Rio Olympics, in Istanbul, on Saturday.

This is the first time that two female wrestler have qualified for Olympics from India.

Vinesh Phogat made amends for last month's embarrassment by sealing a 2016 Rio spot at the last Olympic qualifier — Second World Qualification tournament at Istanbul, Turkey.

The 21-year-old (48 kg) became the first female wrestler to book a place for the Rio Games from India. Later Sakshi Malik (58 kg) booked second spot for India on the penultimate day of the competition.

 Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the First World Olympic Qualifying event for being overweight on April 23.

Vinesh weighed 400 grams more than what was stipulated to be eligible for the 48 kg category competition.

A stern warning has been issued to the 21-year-old wrestler and her coaches.

The Balali-resident promised the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to secure the berth in the last qualification tournament, in Turkey.

In 2012, Geeta Phogat became the first female wrestler from India to qualify for Olympics.

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