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Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat has made a triumphant start to her Olympic preparations, capturing the women's 50kg gold medal at the Grand Prix of Spain in Madrid. The victory marks a significant milestone in Phogat's journey towards the Paris Olympics in 2024.Phogat, a two-time World Championship bronze medalist, showcased her dominance throughout the tournament. In the final, she faced Mariia Tiumerekova, a former Russian wrestler now competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete. Phogat displayed her superior technique and determination, securing a 10-5 victory to claim the gold medal.The road to the final was equally impressive for Phogat. She began her campaign with a convincing 12-4 points victory over Pan American champion Yusneylis Guzman of Cuba. In the quarterfinals, she registered a win by fall against Madison Parks of Canada, a silver medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Phogat's semifinal bout against another Canadian, Katie Dutchak, was equally dominant, as she emerged victorious with a 9-4 points margin.Phogat's triumph in Madrid is a testament to her unwavering commitment and hard work. The 29-year-old former Asian Games gold medalist has been training relentlessly in preparation for the Paris Olympics. Her victory in Spain provides a much-needed boost of confidence and momentum as she gears up for the biggest stage in sports.After her successful outing in Spain, Phogat will travel to France for a 20-day training stint. This training camp will serve as a crucial step in her preparations for the Paris Games, where she will aim to add an Olympic medal to her impressive resume.

World championships medallist wrestler Vinesh Phogat has appealed for urgent assistance from the Sports Minister, Ministry of External Affairs, and other authorities after her visa for Spain was delayed. Phogat is scheduled to compete at the Grand Prix of Spain 2024 in Madrid, with her flight departing on Wednesday night. However, she has yet to receive her visa.In a social media post, Phogat expressed her concern and requested the intervention of the concerned authorities. She tagged the Ministry of External Affairs, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and the Consulate General of France in Bangalore in her post."Dear authorities, I'm requesting for urgent help. I applied for my Schengen visa in Bangalore on 24th June. I have to leave tonight for a competition in Spain on 6th July but have no information on my visa. Requesting @mansukhmandviya @BangaloreFrance @MEABharat to help," she posted.The competition in Spain is scheduled from July 5 to 7, with the women's event slated for July 6. Phogat is also scheduled to attend training camps in Madrid, Spain, and Boulogne sur-Mer, France.Phogat's visa delay has raised concerns about the efficiency of the visa application process for Indian athletes. The timely issuance of visas is crucial for athletes to participate in international competitions and represent their country.The Sports Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs have not yet responded to Phogat's request for assistance. However, it is expected that they will take immediate action to resolve the issue and ensure that Phogat can participate in the Grand Prix of Spain.