"Finally the wait has finished and the journey has begun!" Vinesh tweeted on Friday. "What was left unfinished in Rio, the journey to retake it in Tokyo has begun strongly with this (bronze) here at #WrestleNurSultan! I am extremely happy to bring home a medal for (India) and a Tokyo 2020 quota! (1/1)"
"All of this wouldn't have been possible without the constant and generous support of @Media_SAI, the @FederationWrest, @OGQ_India, my family, coach Akos Woller, physio Rucha Kashalkar! Thank you to everyone for their amazing support, motivation, and love!!! (1/2)"
Vinesh was one of the favourites to win a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics but a career threatening injury in the quarter-final ended her campaign. She has since changed her weight category from 48kg to 50kg and then to her present category of 53kg and has won a host of titles, including a gold medal at the Asian Games.
At the 2019 World Championships, Vinesh was defeated in the pre-quarter finals by Japanese defending champion Mayu Mukaida. She however earned a repechage and went on to win a spot at Tokyo 2020 with a win over American 53kg world no.1 Sarah Hildebrandt and won the bronze her first medal at the World's with a win over Greece's Maria Prevolaraki.
( With inputs from IANS )