<p>India's strong medal contender Vinesh Phogat knocked out Rio Olympics bronze-winner and six-time world medallist Sofia Mattsson to progress to women's 53kg quarterfinals, displaying the art of turning defence into attack, here on Thursday.</p>.<p>The 26-year-old Indian wrestler walked out with a commanding 7-1 win over the Swede, whom she had beaten at the 2019 World Championship as well. Vinesh will face Belarus' Vanesa Kaladzinskaya, the reigning European champion, in the last-eight stage.</p>.<p>Every time Mattsson initiated a right-leg attack, Vinesh produced a splendid counter to score points.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/hockey-india-skipper-manpreet-singh-dedicates-bronze-to-covid-warriors-1016430.html" target="_blank">Read | Hockey India skipper Manpreet Singh dedicates bronze to Covid warriors</a></strong></p>.<p>Showing her immense power, Vinesh turned the Swede from a difficult position on the edge of the mat when she could have conceded a point.</p>.<p>The Indian maintained the intensity throughout and even got herself into a position for a pin but the Swede escaped the embarrassment.</p>.<p>Vinesh had beaten the Swede in her opening round of the 2019 World Championship, where she locked her Tokyo Games quota and a bronze medal.</p>.<p>However, young Anshu Malik bowed out of the 57kg competition after losing her repechage round 1-5 to Russia's Valeria Koblova, the Rio Olympics silver medallist.</p>.<p>Anshu never looked intimidated by a stronger opponent and was leading the bout at one stage on criteria but towards the end, the Russian pulled off a two-pointer to nose ahead.</p>.<p>The 19-year-old Indian had lost her opener to European champion Irina Kurachikina but after the Belarusian progressed to the final, she bounced back to be in contention.</p>.<p>Ravi Dahiya (57kg) and Deepak Punia (86kg) will fight for gold and bronze medal respectively, in the evening session. </p>
<p>India's strong medal contender Vinesh Phogat knocked out Rio Olympics bronze-winner and six-time world medallist Sofia Mattsson to progress to women's 53kg quarterfinals, displaying the art of turning defence into attack, here on Thursday.</p>.<p>The 26-year-old Indian wrestler walked out with a commanding 7-1 win over the Swede, whom she had beaten at the 2019 World Championship as well. Vinesh will face Belarus' Vanesa Kaladzinskaya, the reigning European champion, in the last-eight stage.</p>.<p>Every time Mattsson initiated a right-leg attack, Vinesh produced a splendid counter to score points.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/hockey-india-skipper-manpreet-singh-dedicates-bronze-to-covid-warriors-1016430.html" target="_blank">Read | Hockey India skipper Manpreet Singh dedicates bronze to Covid warriors</a></strong></p>.<p>Showing her immense power, Vinesh turned the Swede from a difficult position on the edge of the mat when she could have conceded a point.</p>.<p>The Indian maintained the intensity throughout and even got herself into a position for a pin but the Swede escaped the embarrassment.</p>.<p>Vinesh had beaten the Swede in her opening round of the 2019 World Championship, where she locked her Tokyo Games quota and a bronze medal.</p>.<p>However, young Anshu Malik bowed out of the 57kg competition after losing her repechage round 1-5 to Russia's Valeria Koblova, the Rio Olympics silver medallist.</p>.<p>Anshu never looked intimidated by a stronger opponent and was leading the bout at one stage on criteria but towards the end, the Russian pulled off a two-pointer to nose ahead.</p>.<p>The 19-year-old Indian had lost her opener to European champion Irina Kurachikina but after the Belarusian progressed to the final, she bounced back to be in contention.</p>.<p>Ravi Dahiya (57kg) and Deepak Punia (86kg) will fight for gold and bronze medal respectively, in the evening session. </p>