A day after she was disqualified and missed the opportunity to win an Olympic Gold, Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling on Thursday.She took to social media platform X and posted, “Maa, wrestling beat me, I lost. Your dream and my courage are all broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will forever be in your debt,”
The 29 year old wrestler, who became the first Indian female to make it to an Olympic final but unfortunately was found 100 grams above the stipulated 50kg during the weigh-in on the morning day when she was all set to hit the gold. Vinesh was disqualified, lost a confirmed silver and the Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez who she defeated in the semi-final, went into the final.
However, Vinesh has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after being disqualified, and has asked for a silver medal. A decision is expected today.
Commonwealth Glory to Olympic Heartbreak
A two-time World Championship medallist and the first Indian female gold medalist wrestler at the Commonwealth Games, Vinesh has lost her luck at the Olympics. In 2016, she had to retire during her quarterfinal bout after an ACL injury. This time, she lost the opportunity to hit the Gold just by 100 grams.
According to the information from the chief medical officer of the Indian contingent, Dr Dinshaw Paridiwala, Vinesh did everything she could do to cut down 100 grams but the grams remained.
Political reactions
PM Modi took to X (formerly twitter) and posted “A champion among champions…Today’s setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair I am experiencing. At the same time… you epitomize resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head-on. We are rooting for you.”
Meanwhile the opposition parties accused the government of mishandling the situation and making her a “fall girl”
“…pride for India”
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju called Ms Phogat “a beacon of hope and pride for India”. The government has provided all necessary assistance to Vinesh Phogat. Personal staff, including notable Hungarian coach Woller Akos and physio Ashwini Jiwan Patil, were assigned to her,” he said.
“… such mistakes are happening at such a high level”
Punjab Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Bhagwant Mann met Ms Phogat’s uncle, Mahavir Phogat, in Haryana.
“… such mistakes are happening (at) such a high level. Coaches and physiotherapists are paid in lakhs… to check her weight was their work. Have they gone there for holidays?” he asked reporters after the meeting.
“…our daughter has been disqualified”
Transport and Mines Minister Mool Chand Sharma hailed Ms Phogat as the “pride of our state…. country”. “The whole country is sad our daughter has been disqualified… but people should not do politics on this…” he said.
Celebrities on Phogat’s Disqualification
Gulshan Devaiah took to X (formerly Twitter) and posted. “Emotionally I hope an appeal is accepted & Vinesh is awarded the Silver but I also feel it’s unfair on every other athlete who’s been disqualified earlier under the same circumstances. I’m deciding to accept it and move on but it’s not really about how I feel.”
“This must be unimaginable devastating on Vinesh & her team. As a fellow Indian, I say thank you champ!!! Be Well (raised hands emoji). Vande Mataram (folded hands emoji),” he added.
Samantha posted a news article about Vinesh’s retirement on her social media platform Instagram with a broken heart emoji.
“Darling daughter Vinesh, we are extremely sad to hear the news. You are a brave adventurous daughter of the soil. We love you and always pray for your health and happiness. Be happy, healthy and strong for your family and your loving people (folded hands emoji),” Dharmendra shared his emotions and posted on the social media platform.
Vinesh, along with Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, was the face of the protests against former WFI chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually harassing female wrestlers. Vinesh now wraps up a career without an Olympic medal
