Heartbroken Vinesh Phogat retires from wrestling post Paris Olympics disqualification

New Delhi : Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has hanged her boots after a disheartening disqualification from the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024. She was disqualified hours before her final bout for gold medal after she was found 100gms overweight in women's 50kg.

"Mother wrestling won against me, I lost... Your dreams and my courage are shattered. I don't have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will forever be indebted to all of you. Please forgive (me)," she wrote on X.

The 29-year-old wrestler had become the first ever Indian female athlete to advance to the finals of the Olympic Games and assure herself at least a silver medal in women’s 50kg category. However, she was found 100 gm overweight in the mandatory weigh-in on the morning of her bout and was disqualified from the event due to the strict rules.

Despite all the best efforts by her coach supporting staff and the Indian Olympic Association, the decision could not be overturned.

In a desperate attempt to shed some kgs, she had taken desperate measures which included going hungry avoiding fluids and staying up all night to sweat it out. She even tried to cut her hair short to reduce excess weight; It all resulted in a severe dehydration post which she was taken to a polyclinic at the Games village.

On Wednesday night, she also appealed against her disqualification in the Court of Arbitration for sports (CAS), demanding a joint silver medal after she was forced out of the tournament in the final round.

Talking about the reactions arising from India people have been showing complete support to the athlete and raising their support with slogans like their proud of Vinesh Phogat for beating Japan’s unbeaten wrestler in the semi-finals.