Star wrestler Vinesh Phogat's Paris Olympics journey concluded on a disappointing note when she was disqualified from the mega event right ahead of her gold medal clash. A prominent figure in the wrestling arena, with accolades including two World Championship bronze medals, three Commonwealth Games golds, and multiple Asian Games and Asian Championship medals, her career seemed destined for a grand finale.
Vinesh Phogat's Bitter End
However, circumstances forced her hand. With Antim Panghal occupying her usual weight category, Phogat had to compete in the 50kg division, securing a spot at the Paris Olympics. Her opening match pitted her against the formidable Yui Susaki, the undefeated defending champion since 2010. Susaki's dominance, highlighted by a flawless Tokyo 2020 campaign, made her a formidable opponent.
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A Dramatic Turnaround and Heartbreak
Faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, trailing 0-2 with mere seconds remaining, Vinesh Phogat staged a remarkable comeback, securing a thrilling 3-2 victory. Overwhelmed by the dramatic win, she was reduced to tears, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of her achievement. Subsequently, she defeated Ukraine's Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals and cruised to victory against Cuba's Yusneylys Guzman in the semifinals.
However, fate intervened cruelly. Weighing in 100 grams over the limit for the final, Phogat was disqualified. The shock was palpable. An immediate appeal was filed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) seeking a joint silver medal, coinciding with Phogat's retirement announcement. This dramatic turn of events stands in stark contrast to her involvement in protests against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh the previous year.
Vinesh Phogat's gold medal match was anticipated as a platform to silence her critics. Unfortunately, the outcome was far from ideal. Former shooter and Beijing 2008 gold medalist Abhinav Bindra shared his insights on the potential outcome of the CAS verdict.
“Well, it's an incredibly tough situation and frankly, I don't even know what to say. The rules are very clear, where you draw the line. Sport is always governed. If you don't govern sport by rules then there is no sport. But of course, I fully empathise with Vinesh. It's an incredibly difficult period of time for her, everybody's heart is broken and we are all there for her. I had the opportunity to meet her as well,” Bindra told India Today.
"I really don't know where this would head. I know the decision is postponed for a couple of days. So I think one just needs to be patient. I am not privy to what the arguments have been made, I haven't gone through what the case is put forward and I am no legal expert. So patience for a couple of days," he further added.
CAS's has delayed its decision on Vinesh Phogat's appeal from August 10 to August 13.
"Well, we are all conditioned to hope. So I am being hopeful, remaining positive. I am not a legal expert. I don't know where it is headed," Bindra concluded.
India Concludes Paris 2024 Campaign with six medals
India's campaign in the Paris 2024 Olympics has concluded with a commendable haul of six medals. Shooter Manu Bhaker was a standout performer, securing two bronze medals - one in the individual women's event and another in the mixed team event alongside Sarabjot Singh. Swapnil Kusale also contributed a bronze medal to India's tally in shooting. In the track and field arena, Neeraj Chopra claimed a silver medal in the javelin throw, adding to India's medal count. The men's hockey team went on to bring bronze medal for India, defeating Spain in the final match. Aman Sehrawat then rounded off India's medal-winning performances with a historic bronze in wrestling.
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