New Delhi, India — In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat has announced her retirement from the sport. This comes just a day after she was disqualified from the gold medal bout in the 50 kg women’s category at the Paris Olympics 2024 for being overweight by a mere 100 grams.
A Heartbreaking End to a Promising Journey
Vinesh Phogat, a trailblazer in Indian wrestling, was on the brink of creating history by becoming the first Indian female wrestler to compete in an Olympic final. Her journey, marked by stunning performances and immense dedication, was abruptly cut short when the mandatory weigh-in on the morning of her final match revealed she was slightly over the permissible weight limit.
The disqualification meant Phogat could not compete against the USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt in the final, a devastating blow not only to her but to the hopes of millions of Indian fans. In an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter), Phogat poured out her anguish, writing in Hindi, “Ma Kusti (Mother, wrestling) won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage has been broken. I don’t have any more strength now.”
An Illustrious Career Ends
Vinesh Phogat’s retirement marks the end of an illustrious career spanning over two decades. The 29-year-old from Haryana has been a beacon of inspiration in Indian wrestling, achieving numerous milestones. She is a three-time Olympian, having competed in different weight categories in the Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024 Olympics. Her accolades include three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018, and 2022) and a historic gold at the 2018 Asian Games.
Despite her disqualification, Phogat’s legacy remains untarnished. She has been a trailblazer, becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games and securing two bronze medals at the World Wrestling Championships in 2019 and 2022.
A Final Appeal
In a bid to salvage some recognition from her Olympic campaign, Phogat has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking a joint silver medal for the event. The decision on her appeal is expected soon.
Phogat’s disqualification and subsequent retirement have cast a pall of sadness over the Indian sporting community. As fans and fellow athletes come to terms with this unexpected and heartbreaking development, Vinesh Phogat’s contributions to Indian wrestling will continue to inspire future generations.
In her farewell message, she poignantly concluded, “Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024,” signaling the end of an era for one of India’s most beloved athletes.
