Wrestler Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement on Thursday, a day after a disqualification dashed her hopes for an Olympic gold medal in the 50 kg women’s category at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 29-year-old, who made history as the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final, saw her journey end in heartbreak when she was disqualified for being overweight by just 100 grams during the mandatory morning weigh-in.
In an emotional post on X, Vinesh Phogat expressed her disappointment and sorrow, writing in Hindi, “Ma Kusti (Mother, wrestling) won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage has been broken. I don’t have any more strength now.” She concluded her post with a poignant farewell, “Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024.”
https://x.com/Phogat_Vinesh/status/1821332432701779982
Vinesh Phogat ‘s path to the final had been marked by remarkable performances, including a 5-0 semi-final victory over Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez. However, her disqualification led to Lopez taking her place in the final, where she won a silver medal. The gold was claimed by America’s Sarah Hildebrandt, who triumphed with a 3-0 score against Lopez.
Despite the setback, Vinesh Phogat has not given up entirely on her Olympic dream. She has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver medal for the event, with a decision expected to be announced later today.
Vinesh Phogat’s career has been one of exceptional achievements and firsts. A three-time Olympian, she competed in three different weight categories across the Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024 Games. In addition to her Olympic appearances, Vinesh Phogat has won three gold medals in the Commonwealth Games, clinching titles in 2014, 2018, and 2022 in different weight classes. She also made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to secure a gold medal at both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games in 2018.
Her accolades extend to the World Wrestling Championships, where she earned two bronze medals in 2019 and 2022. Vinesh Phogat’s contributions to Indian wrestling have been monumental, and her retirement marks the end of an era for the sport in the country.
As the wrestling community and fans await the CAS decision, Vinesh Phogat’s legacy as a trailblazer and champion remains intact. Her resilience and dedication to the sport have inspired countless young athletes in India and around the world.
