Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Thursday (August 8, 2024) announced her retirement from wrestling a day after she was disqualified from the 50kg category Paris Olympics finals. The seasoned wrestler was disqualified after weighing 100 grams more than the permissible limit in the morning weigh-in ahead of the final.
In an emotional post on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), she wrote, “Mom, wrestling has defeated me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream, my courage is all broken, I don’t have any more strength now.”
“Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024,” Phogat concluded, adding that she will “forever be indebted to everyone”.
Phogat appeals against disqualification
Just hours ago, Phogat appealed against her disqualificationin the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), demanding that she be awarded a joint silver medal. An Indian Olympic Association (IOA) source in the visiting Indian contingent confirmed the development to PTI.
Also read | Vinesh Phogat disqualification: Amid disbelief, clamour grows for change in rules
An ad-hoc division of the CAS has been set up in Paris for resolution by arbitration of any disputes arising during the Olympic Games or during a period of 10 days preceding the Opening Ceremony.
The matter will be taken up on Thursday (August 8, 2024) morning.
Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who lost to Vinesh in the semifinals, replaced her in the final against American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt. Hidebrandt won the bout to claim gold.
Haryana government reaction
Meanwhile, the Haryana government will treat Phogat at par with an Olympic silver medallist and give her the same prize money and facilities, announced Chief Minister Nayab Saini, in a post on X. “She entered the finals, but could not play it for some reasons. She is still a champion for us,” read the post.
Published - August 08, 2024 06:29 am IST
