Paris Olympics: Disqualified Indian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Announces Retirement
Phogat has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her disqualification: Indian media reports
Paris: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, disheartened after being disqualified from the Paris Olympics due to being overweight by just 100 grams, has announced her retirement from wrestling.
According to AFP, the 29-year-old Vinesh Phogat, who won a bronze medal at the World Championships, was set to compete in the women’s 50 kg final against Sarah Hildebrandt of the USA. However, she was found to be 100 grams over the weight limit of 50 kg.
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Vinesh Phogat expressed her disappointment, stating, “Mom! Wrestling won, I lost. My dreams and my courage have broken. I have no strength left.”
Sarah Hildebrandt, who defeated Phogat in the semi-final, went on to win the gold medal by defeating Cuba’s Yusnelis Guzman Lopez in the final.
Indian media reports that Phogat has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her disqualification and is demanding to be awarded a joint silver medal. The CAS is expected to announce a decision in Paris on Thursday.
Previously, videos of Phogat desperately trying to cut weight with cut hair and teary eyes had gone viral, showcasing her efforts to make weight for the final.
Last year, Phogat led protests against then-President of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, in Delhi, highlighting issues of harassment. Her protests and images of her and other wrestlers marching to Parliament became widely shared on social media.
Phogat, a prominent figure in wrestling, had previously defeated the four-time world and reigning champion Yui Susaki in an unexpected 3-2 victory in the opening match. Despite her team’s efforts throughout the night to cut weight, she was still over the limit on the morning of the final.
Fellow protesters and Olympic bronze medalists, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, expressed their support for Phogat. Punia wrote on social media, “You will always be a winner for us. Apart from being India’s daughter, you are India’s pride.” Malik stated, “Every daughter who fought for what you fought for has lost.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his encouragement, saying, “I wish words could express the disappointment I am feeling.”
For updates and further details:
- AFP News Report: AFP
- Vinesh Phogat’s Social Media Announcement: Vinesh Phogat on X
