The sudden demise of Ritika Phogat, a budding wrestler and cousin of the celebrated Phogat sisters — Geeta, Babita, Ritu, Sangeeta and Vinesh left the entire nation in shock. She died allegedly by suicide in Haryana’s Balali village. The sad news also left several Bollywood celebs heartbroken! Several stars like Neeti Mohan and Neha Sharma mourned the loss of the athlete. While Neeti wrote, 'बहुत ही दुखद खबर है ये! ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है की रितिका की आत्मा को शांति मिले और आपके पूरे परिवार को सहनशक्ति', actor Neha Sharma reacted to a report on the same and wrote that the news broke her heart. The 17-year-old took the extreme step on the night of March 15 at around 11pm. According to Haryana Police, Ritika took her own life by hanging herself from a ceiling fan at the house of her uncle, Dronacharya awardee Mahavir Phogat. Prima facie the police as well as the Phogat household believe that Ritika took the extreme step as she was upset over losing the final of a state-level junior wrestling tournament by one point. While the investigation into Ritika Phogat’s death is underway, a family member said, 'When she came back, she was very upset over the loss. When you have sisters who are super achievers in wrestling, it is possible that one feels the pressure to attain similar fame.' Cousin sister and renowned wrestler Geeta Phogat told TOI, 'It’s a very sad moment for my family. Ritika was a talented wrestler and I don’t know why she took such a step. Victory and defeat are a part of an athlete’s life. We should never take such a step', while Babita Phogat said, 'May she rest in peace. Suicide is not the solution. Both defeat and victory are important aspects of life. The loser also wins one day. Struggle is the key to success, no such step should be taken by being afraid of the struggles of life.'
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