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Vinesh Phogat's Olympic dream turned into a nightmare in a matter of hours. Just a day after securing a historic spot in the women's 50kg wrestling final, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for being slightly overweight. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Phogat subsequently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a shared silver medal, but their plea was dismissed.
The disqualification deeply impacted Phogat, who expressed her anguish on social media. She described the ordeal as a 'nightmare' and questioned the fairness of the rules. The incident sparked a nationwide debate about the stringent weight regulations in sports and their impact on athletes' mental and physical well-being. The rejection of the appeal by CAS was a crushing blow for Phogat and the entire nation. It raised questions about the adequacy of the rules and their implementation, leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of the sporting community.
Vinesh Phogat took to X and wrote:
"Mom won the wrestling match against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream, my courage is all broken, I don't have any more strength now. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024".
Vinesh Phogat to take back her retirement?
Following her heartbreaking disqualification at the Olympics, speculation arose about Vinesh Phogat's future in wrestling, with many believing she might retire. She did exactly the same and right after her ouster from Paris Olympics, she announced her retirement.
However, in a recent social media post, Phogat, expressed her emotional turmoil and uncertainty about her future in the sport, leaving fans and the sporting community in suspense about her retirement U-turn.
"Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032, because the fight in me and wrestling in me will always be there. I can't predict what the future holds for me, and what awaits me in this journey next, but I am sure that I will continue to fight always for what I believe in and for the right thing," she wrote in the post.
Vinesh Phogat defends her support staff
Amidst the public criticism directed at her support staff for their alleged failure to ensure she made weight for the Olympic final, Vinesh Phogat came to their defense. The 29-year-old wrestler expressed gratitude for their unwavering support throughout her career, highlighting their significant contributions to her life and achievements.
"Woller Akos: Anything I write about him will always be less. In the world of Women's Wrestling, I have found him to be the best coach, best guide and best human being, able to handle any situation with his calmness, patience and confidence. He does not have the word impossible in his dictionary and he is always ready with a plan whenever we face a tough situation on or off the mat," she said.
"There were times when I doubted myself, and was shifting away from my internal focus and he would know exactly what to say and how to bring me back on my path. He was more than a coach, he was my family in wrestling. He was never hungry to take credit for my victory and success, always humble and taking a step back as soon as his work was done on the mat," Vinesh added.
“But I want to give him the recognition he much deserves, whatever I do will never be enough to thank him for his sacrifices, for the time he spent away from his family. I can never repay him for the time lost with his two small boys. I wonder if they know what their father has done for me and if they understand how important his contributions have been. All I can do today is tell the world that if it hadn't been for you I would not have done on the mat what I have done,” India's ace wrestler's social media post further read.
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