Indian wrestler and 2018 Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat announced that she has suffered a knee injury ahead of the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, and will, unfortunately, be unable to defend her medal.
"I wanted to share an extremely sad piece of news. A couple of days ago on 13th August 2023, I injured my left knee in training. After doing the scans and examinations, the doctor has said that unfortunately, surgery is the only option for me to recover. I will be undergoing surgery on 17th August in Mumbai.
"It was my dream to retain my Asian Games Gold medal for India which I won in 2018 at Jakarta. But unfortunately, this injury has ruled out my participation now. I have informed all concerned authorities immediately so that the Reserve player can be sent to the Asian Games. I would like to request all the fans to continue supporting me so that I can make a strong come back to the mat soon and prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Your support gives me a lot of strength." she wrote in a statement on social media.
The build-up to the 2023 Asian Games witnessed a contentious debate, centring on the direct entry of Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. The Indian Olympic Association's ad-hoc committee granted them an exemption from the trials, igniting a furore within the wrestling community.
This bold move by the committee was met with strong opposition. Junior wrestlers Antim Panghal and Sujeet Kalkal legally challenged this decision. They argued that the inclusion of Phogat and Punia was inconsistent with the exemption criteria. The central contention was the apparent absence of any foreign experts during the selection and a perceived lack of recommendations from the chief coaches for these exemptions.
Despite the uproar, the Delhi High Court provided clarity on the matter, dismissing the duo's petition and endorsing the direct entries of Phogat and Punia. Although the court's verdict brought a temporary resolution, it amplified existing apprehensions about the transparency and equity of the selection criteria for such a distinguished tournament.
In a further twist, Vinesh Phogat revealed an unfortunate turn of events. She stated, "on August 13, during a training session, I injured my left knee." Subsequent medical evaluations suggested that a surgical procedure was imperative for her recuperation. The operation has been calendared for August 17, 2023, in Mumbai.
This incident not only raises concerns regarding Phogat's participation in the forthcoming games but also underscores the intense pressure and potential physical repercussions elite athletes face in their pursuit of excellence. As the Asian Games draw near, the spotlight remains on the fairness of the selection procedure and the well being of the participants.
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