Vinesh Phogat Retires from Wrestling after Disqualification, Appeals for Silver Medal
Indian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Announces Retirement from Wrestling After Disqualification from Paris Olympics
At 5:17 AM, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling on X. She posted, “Mother, wrestling has defeated me, I have lost. Forgive me for not fulfilling your dream. My courage has broken. I don’t have the strength anymore. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2023, I will always be indebted to you. Sorry.”
Before announcing her retirement, Vinesh had filed an appeal against her disqualification on Wednesday night. She approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport, requesting to be awarded a joint silver medal. Initially, she had demanded to play the finals but later modified her appeal to request a joint silver medal.
On August 7th, it was revealed that Vinesh’s weight was 100 grams over her designated 50-kilogram category. Following this, the Olympic Association declared her ineligible for women’s freestyle wrestling.
After being disqualified from the Olympics, Vinesh’s health deteriorated, and she was hospitalized. When coach Vijay Dahiya visited her, Vinesh expressed, “It was bad luck that we lost the medal, but this is part of the sport.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also asked the President of the Indian Olympic Association, PT Usha, to find ways to support the wrestler. The PM urged Usha to file a protest regarding the matter.
Doctor Stated – Exercised All Night to Reduce Weight
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Dr. Dinsha Paudewala, the doctor for the Indian Olympic team, released a statement saying that Vinesh and her coach were informed about her excess weight on the night of August 6th. Following this, Vinesh did not sleep the entire night and continued exercising, including jogging, skipping, and cycling, to bring her weight within the specified category.
Dr. Paudewala mentioned that Vinesh even cut her hair and nails. Her clothes were also made lighter. Despite these efforts, her weight did not reduce. Some media reports have stated that the Indian team requested a little more time for Vinesh, but their request was not considered.
IOA Stated – Despite Efforts All Night, Weight Remained Slightly Over
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said, “It is very unfortunate that Vinesh Phogat is ineligible for the women’s 50 kg wrestling category due to excess weight. Despite efforts throughout the night, her weight in the morning was found to be slightly over 50 kilograms. We request you to respect Vinesh’s privacy. The Indian team will not comment further on this matter. We want to focus on upcoming competitions.”
First Indian Female Wrestler to Reach the Olympic Final
Vinesh Phogat made history by becoming the first Indian female wrestler to reach the final of the 50 kg wrestling category in the Olympics, winning three matches. She defeated Guzman Lopez of Cuba in the semifinal, Oksana Livach of Ukraine in the quarterfinal, and world champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the pre-quarterfinal with a score of 3-2.
In Vinesh’s place, the Cuban wrestler she defeated competed in the final. Vinesh was scheduled to compete against American wrestler Sarah Ann Hildebrandt for the gold medal at around 10 PM on August 7th. However, according to Olympic rules, the Cuban wrestler Guzman Lopez, who lost to Vinesh in the semifinal, competed in the final instead. Sarah from America won this match.
Lost in the Tokyo Olympic Quarterfinals, Withdrew from Rio Due to Injury
This was Vinesh Phogat’s third Olympics. She withdrew from the 2016 Rio Olympics due to injury. Later, she lost in the quarterfinals of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Vinesh had not lost a single match in the Paris Olympics. After reaching the final on Tuesday, a medal seemed certain.
PM Wrote on Social Media – “Vinesh, You Are a Champion of Champions.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on social media, “Vinesh, you are the champion of champions. You are a source of pride and inspiration for the people of India. I am saddened by today’s shock. I wish I could express the feeling of disappointment I am experiencing in words. I know you will face challenges bravely, as this has always been your nature. Come back stronger. We are all with you.”
Involved in Protest Against Wrestling Federation President Brij Bhushan Singh
Vinesh was the wrestler who initiated the movement against BJP MP and former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Singh, protesting the sexual exploitation of female wrestlers. Photos of Vinesh being dragged on the streets of Delhi went viral.
There was a lot of controversy regarding the selection trials for the Paris Olympics. Due to the selection of wrestler Antim Panghal, Vinesh had to leave her original weight category of 53 kg and reduce her weight to 50 kg.
Mahavir Phogat Said After Reaching the Final – “This Is a Slap on the Face of Brij Bhushan”
Before Vinesh was disqualified from the Olympics, her uncle and Dronacharya awardee Mahavir Phogat said, “By defeating world champion Yui Susaki in the first fight, Vinesh has become a strong contender for the gold medal. We have full hope that Vinesh will bring the gold medal this time. What Vinesh has done is a slap on the face of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Brij Bhushan was working hard to defeat her, but Vinesh’s hard work has paid off.”
Banned After the Tokyo Olympics, Suffered from Depression: Doctor Said – “Wrestling Must Be Abandoned”
Vinesh’s struggle to reach the Olympics started a long time ago. After the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Vinesh was banned. At that time, the president of the Indian Wrestling Federation, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, said that they had sent a fake coin. Later, the fight between the wrestlers and Brij Bhushan reached the Supreme Court.
