Vinesh Phogat, an Indian wrestler, was disappointed and heartbroken when she announced that she would retire from wrestling on Thursday after being disqualified from the Paris Olympics. Vignesh sent a touching message on social media.
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During weigh-in before the gold medal match, she weighed 100 grams more than necessary and so was disqualified.
“Mom mujhe laga main gir gaya, bal gir gaye, tujhse bhi zyada toot gaye mere sapne (Mom naari ko haraa diya mujhe ladai mein mene haargayi. I lost…I don’t have any strength now)” she said on her social media page.
“Alvida kushti (goodbye wrestling 2001-2024),” she concluded.
On Tuesday, Vinesh made history by becoming India’s first ever gold medalist in women’s category for wrestling. She had already won at least one silver medal before getting disqualified.
Vinesh suffered a major setback as she was disqualified from the final against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of America for exceeding weight limits by 100 grams. This had forced the 29 year old grappler into unconscious devastation.
Following her disqualification, Vinesh appealed to receive a joint silver medal. In the end though she lost to Yosnelis Guzman Lopez of Cuba who replaced her for the finals having been beaten by Vinesh in the semis who then lost to Hildebrandt in the championship match.
According to international rules if a wrestler is found overweight during weighing process he or she will be placed last regardless of performance in competition.
PT Usha president of IOA expressed shock and disappointment over Vinesh’s disqualification.
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“I was shocked and disappointed after hearing the news about Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification. I came here to see Vignesh; she is in good health. She was depressed psychologically. Our support staff kept her company doing everything they could to help her lose weight,” PT Usha said.
Earlier, Dinshaw Pardiwala, chief medical officer of the Indian Olympic team, disclosed that Phogat had been 2.7 kilograms overweight after the semi-finals. He explained we put him on diet which means he didn’t take food or water for some time.
She also took her case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following the disqualification on Wednesday.
Vinesh has appealed CAS for a silver medal as per sources from IOA.
According to ANI sources “Vinesh Phogat has approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against his disqualification for the silver medal. The CAS will pronounce its verdict tomorrow morning.”
Vinesh is a three-time Olympian and has won gold medals at both Asian and Commonwealth Games.
Over the past one year she gave a leading role in violent protests against former president of Wrestling Federation of India Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who was accused by woman wrestlers for sexual harassment.
While being a constant competitor in 53kg weight class Vinesh had to make an adjustment just before Olympics when he moved into 50kg category because Antim Panghal had already won quota in that category in Paris.
Pongal failed badly during their opening match due to trying unsuccessfully to get Nisha inside gaming village using her clearance card instead of his own card which will probably lead him towards deportation now.
“Vinesh Phogat will be congratulated like a medalist”
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the state government would acknowledge wrestler Vinesh as an Olympic medalist in this manner.
As an olympic silver medalist, Vinesh will receive the equivalent of a gold medal
“Our government has decided to welcome and felicitate Vinesh Phogat like a medal winner. All the respect, incentives and facilities provided by the Haryana government to an Olympic silver medalist will also be provided to Vineesh Phogat,” he said in Hindi. Nesh Fugate.
According to Haryana Government’s Sports Policy, Rs. 6 crore will be given as bonus for winning an Olympic gold medal while Rs. 4 crores and 25 lakh will each be given for winning a silver and bronze medals respectively at Olympics for international sports persons.
