Vinesh Phogat, 21
48Kg category
Time: 6pm
Medal prospects: Good
Vinesh Phogat had a difficult time qualifying for Rio. She was disqualified from the 1st World Olympic Qualifying event in Istanbul for weighing 400gm more than what was eligible for the 48kg category. Her time came when she struck gold at the 2nd World Qualification tournament in Istanbul, which also happened to be the last qualifying event for Rio.
Having qualified for Olympics, the 21-year-old will look to make the most of her opportunity in the debut campaign. Despite being her maiden Olympics, However, Vinesh is the best bet for India in the women's section. 21-year-old girl from Haryana, with an aggressive attitude, has proved her worth by winning medals at Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Championships.
In the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Vinesh won the Gold medal in the women's freestyle 48 kg category and also won the silver medal at the 2015 Asian Wrestling Championships in Doha. Besides, she also bagged a bronze medal at 2014 Asian Games.
Agencies/ Rio De Janeiro
Sakshi Malik, 23
58kg category
Time: 7pm
Medal prospects: Fair
Sakshi earned her Olympic quota by winning a silver medal in the second World Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul, Turkey.
After spending majority of time in the sidelines of Geeta Phogat, who also competes in the same weight category, Sakshi finally has the chance to make a name for her in Rio as Geeta could not book a Rio berth.
Malik has an aggressive style of play and she normally doesn't wait for the opponent to make her move. That aggressiveness can help her do well in Rio.
Her bronze medal at the Spanish Grand Prix in July was certainly just the confidence boost she needed ahead of Rio. She has clinched medals at all the possible avenues, be it national or international, sub-junior, junior or senior levels.
Sakshi won a silver medal in the 2014 Common-wealth Games in Glasgow. She followed it up with a bronze medal at the 2015 Senior Asian Wrestling Champion-ships in Doha.
Agencies