Vinesh becomes first Indian woman wrestler to reach Olympic final

New Delhi, NT Bureau: She grappled on the streets with an "unjust system" without a care in the world and on Tuesday Vinesh Phogat brought a lot of that panache to the mat as well, taking down one big name after another to become India's first woman wrestler to enter the finals of the Olympic Games.

The 29-year-old from Haryana defeated Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba 5-0 in the semifinals where she used brain and brawn in equal measure to be assured of a at least a silver in her third Olympic outing.

The last 18 months have been nothing short of a roller-coaster for the feisty lady, who became the face of a protest against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment.

Pulled by the hair at India gate during the protest, she became the proverbialenfant terrible for the establishment. Her performance on Tuesday is a slap for the parent body that didn't stand by her.

The semi-final bout saw Vinesh maintaining her balance, not allowing the Cuban to get her leg. Her feet were positioned perfectly to avert any crisis.A point earned for passivity in the first round helped her immensely but she herself got a warning for not trying enough in the second round.

However, Vinesh perhaps loves being cornered and just like the Susaki bout, she fought back with vengeance for Lopez's right leg and pinned her down for two points and choked her with leg hold to clinch the match.