Wrestler Bajrang Punia expressed his deep sorrow through a heartfelt poem for Vinesh Phogat. Just hours before India celebrated its Independence Day, Vinesh Phogat suffered a devastating setback. Vinesh lost her appeal to the International Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling for a joint silver medal at the Paris Olympics.
Heartbreak for Vinesh Phogat
Despite showcasing exceptional skill and determination, Vinesh was disqualified from the women's 50kg final for being slightly overweight. Her journey to the final was marked by impressive victories, making her disqualification even more heartbreaking. Ultimately, she returned from the Olympics without a medal, a painful end to a promising campaign.
Bajrang Punia's heartfelt post for Vinesh Phogat
On the evening of August 14, Bajrang posted an emotional message on Twitter dedicated to one of India's leading wrestlers. He shared a six-line poem praising Vinesh as the Kohinoor of India.
Vinesh Phogat's silver medal appeal denied
On Wednesday, August 14, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) delivered a crushing blow to Vinesh Phogat. The court upheld the International Olympic Committee’s decision to disqualify her from the women's 50kg wrestling final at the Paris Olympics. This ruling not only prevented Vinesh from securing a silver medal but also resulted in her finishing last in her category. Following the initial disqualification, Vinesh had made the difficult decision to retire from wrestling. The CAS verdict, however, came after multiple postponements. The Indian Olympic Association expressed deep disappointment with the outcome and indicated their intention to pursue further legal action on Vinesh's behalf.
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Meanwhile, IOA President PT Usha voiced her shock and disappointment over the Sole Arbitrator at CAS's decision to reject wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee.
"The IOA firmly believes that the total disqualification of an athlete for such a weight infraction on the second of two days warrants a deeper examination. Our legal representatives had duly brought this out in their submissions before the Sole Arbitrator. The matter involving Vinesh highlights the stringent and, arguably, inhumane regulations that fail to account for the physiological and psychological stresses athletes, particularly female athletes, undergo. It is a stark reminder of the need for more equitable and reasonable standards that prioritize athletes' well-being," PT Usha's statement said.
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