‘My Courage Is All Broken’: Vinesh Phogat Announces Retirement After Olympic Disqualification
Paris Olympics 2024: Ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat has announced her retirement from wrestling following her heartbreaking disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024 which led to her missing out a guaranteed silver medal or a possible gold in the finals of the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event.
“Mother Wrestling has won the final bout and I have lost. Forgive me, your dreams, and my courage, everything is broken. I don’t have the strength anymore,” Phogat wrote in a post on X in Hindi.
“Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will always be indebted to you all for forgiveness,” the Olympian said.
माँ कुश्ती मेरे से जीत गई मैं हार गई माफ़ करना आपका सपना मेरी हिम्मत सब टूट चुके इससे ज़्यादा ताक़त नहीं रही अब।
अलविदा कुश्ती 2001-2024
आप सबकी हमेशा ऋणी रहूँगी माफी
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) August 7, 2024
On Wednesday, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024 for exceeding her weight by a mere 100 grams in the 50 kg category during the morning weigh-in ahead of competing for gold in the finals of the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event.
The 29-year-old grappler had advanced to the gold medal bout by defeating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday night and was set to compete against the United States’ Sarah Ann Hildebrandt in the finals but was disqualified on Wednesday for breaching the weight limit.
Expressing shock and disappointment over Phogat’s disqualification, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha said ace wrestler was doing well, both physically and medically, but was utterly dejected by the decision.
“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.
Earlier, Dinshaw Pardiwala, Chief Medical Officer of the Indian Olympic contingent, revealed that Phogat exceeded the weight limit by 2.7 kg after her semi-final bout, adding that efforts were made to reduce her weight by restricting her food and water intake.
Phogat also appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following her disqualification on Wednesday. According to an IOA source, Phogat has requested the CAS to award her the silver medal. The verdict is expected on Thursday morning.
“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 news agency ANI.
(With inputs from agencies)