Vinesh Phogat's uncle and the father of star wrestlers Geeta and Babita Phogat broke silence on the shocking retirement from wrestling after her dream of winning a gold for the nation was shattered in the ongoing edition of the Paris Olympics 2024. Phogat was disqualified from the women's 50kg wrestling final at the Paris Olympics 2024 for being 100 grams overweight during the weigh-in on the day of the final. Mahavir Phogat on her retirement said it is quite natural to arrive at this decision after the Olympics heartbreak. He also said that once she is back home the family will try to convince and train her for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"Mother, wrestling won against me, I lost, sorry, your dream, my courage is all broken, I don't have any more strength than this now. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. I will always be indebted to you all sorry," wrote Vinesh Phogat in an emotional post from her official ‘X’ announcing her retirement.
Mahavir Phogat on Vinesh Phogat's retirement
Vinesh’s uncle said that they will try to talk her out of the retirement decision and will try to convince her to play in the next edition of the Olympics.
"She was going to bring the Olympic gold this time but got disqualified. It is natural to feel hurt after such a setback and hence she arrived at this decision. It was her third Olympic any athlete would do this in anger. Once she is back home, we will try talking to her about competing in the 2028 Olympics," said Mahavir Phogat in an exclusive conversation with Sports Tak.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini has announced that their government will give all rewards and facilities that medalist gets to star wrestler Vinesh Phogat. They would also similarly welcome her. He made this announcement after Vinesh Phogat's shocking retirement from wrestling
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"It is a good initiative by the CM. He has accepted the fact that she has got the silver medal. It is a good step and I support this. I thank the Haryana government, it will encourage other athletes if such things ever happen to them." Said Mahavir on the announcement.
"In 2016 she could not win the Olympics due to injury, in 2020 and 2024 she was under pressure due to protest against the federation and Brijbhushan( former WFI president)In the future I will talk with Sangeeta my younger daughter to prepare her for Olympics," he added talking about all the setbacks faced by Vinesh Phogat
Vinesh had appealed against her elimination with CAS (court of Arbitration for Sports) after getting disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024. She demanded a joint silver medal. Mahavir on her appeal said, “I think the court could give her respite but it’s hard."
Adding his statement he reinforced training younger athletes to that level so they can make the nation proud. He said, “Will make 100 Vinesh Phogat who will be winning medals in Olympics. I want to say women wrestlers should start preparing for the 2028 Olympics and its my appeal to coaches to train athletes with discipline."
"There is no conspiracy. They have their rules and this happened according to the rule book," said the veteran wrestler.
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