NEW DELHI: A disappointed and heartbroken Indian wrestler,
Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling on Thursday following her disqualification from the Paris Olympics. Vinesh shared an emotional message on social media.
She was disqualified after being found 100 grams overweight during the weigh-in ahead of her gold medal match.
“Maa, kushti mere se jeet gayi, main haar gayi. Maaf karna, aapka sapna, meri himmat sab toot chuke. Isse zyada taqat nahi rahi ab” (Mom, Wrestling has defeated me, I have lost. I lost…my courage is all broken, I don't have any more strength now),” Vinesh wrote on her social media account.
"Alvida, kushti (Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024),” she concluded.
Vinesh made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout in her category on Tuesday. She was assured of at least a silver medal before the disqualification.
Paris Olympics: Heartbreak for Mirabai Chanu after Vinesh Phogat's disqualification on Day 12
Vinesh's disqualification from the final match against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States due to being 100gm overweight during the morning weigh-in was the most devastating setback of the day. The 29-year-old wrestler was utterly shattered by the turn of events.
In response to her disqualification, Vinesh filed an appeal, requesting that she be awarded a joint silver medal. She was replaced in the final by Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, whom Vinesh had defeated in the semifinals. Lopez ultimately lost to Hildebrandt in the championship match.
As per international regulations, any wrestler found to be overweight during the weigh-in process will automatically be placed at the bottom of the final standings, regardless of their performance in the tournament.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha voiced her shock and disappointment over Vinesh's disqualification.
"After hearing the news that Vinesh Phogat is disqualified, I am shocked and disappointed. I had come here to meet Vinesh; she is physically and medically okay. Mentally, she is disappointed. Our support staff is with her, trying their best to help her reduce weight," PT Usha said.
Previously, Dinshaw Pardiwala, Chief Medical Officer of the Indian Olympic contingent, disclosed that Phogat was 2.7 kg over the weight limit following her semi-final bout. He mentioned that efforts were made to help her reduce weight by restricting her food and water intake.
Following her disqualification on Wednesday, Vinesh also appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
According to an IOA source, Vinesh requested the CAS to award her the silver medal.
"Vinesh Phogat has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her disqualification, asking for the silver medal. CAS will give its verdict tomorrow morning," the source had told ANI.
Vinesh is a three-time Olympian and has won gold medals in both the Asian and Commonwealth Games.
For the last 12 months, she has been at the forefront of intense demonstrations against the previous Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who faces allegations of sexual misconduct from female wrestlers.
Vinesh, a consistent competitor in the 53kg weight class, had to make the difficult transition to 50kg just a few months prior to the Games, as Antim Panghal had already secured the Paris quota spot in that category.
Panghal suffered a defeat in the first round and now confronts potential deportation after attempting to grant her sister Nisha access to the Games Village using her own accreditation card.
'Vinesh Phogat to be felicitated like a medallist'The Chief Minister of Haryana, Nayab Singh Saini, announced on Thursday that the state government will honor wrestler Vinesh in the same manner as they would an Olympic medalist.
Despite not winning a medal, Vinesh will receive a reward equivalent to that of an Olympic silver medalist.
Saini said in a post on X, "Our brave daughter of Haryana, Vinesh Phogat, performed brilliantly and entered the final of the Olympics. She might not have been able to compete in the final due to some reason but she is a champion for all of us."
"Our government has decided that Vinesh Phogat will be welcomed and felicitated like a medallist. All the respect, reward and facilities that the Haryana government offers an Olympic silver medallist will be offered to Vinesh Phogat as well," he said in Hindi.
As per the sports policy of the Haryana government, Olympic gold medalists are awarded Rs 6 crore, while silver and bronze medalists receive Rs 4 crore and Rs 2.5 crore, respectively.