Vinesh Phogat receives gold medal from Haryana panchayat on birthday
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was honored with a gold medal by the Sarvkhap Panchayat in Haryana on her birthday, August 25. This recognition comes after her historic performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the Olympic finals. Despite being disqualified due to weight issues before her final match, Phogat's achievements were celebrated by her hometown and country.
Phogat's Olympic journey and disqualification
Phogat was disqualified from her gold medal match against Sarah Hildebrandt of the US, for exceeding the 50kg weight limit by 100g. Her weight had increased by 2.8kg after the first day of competition, leading to an intense effort to shed it overnight. Despite these efforts, she was unable to meet the required limit and was subsequently disqualified from the event.
Phogat expresses gratitude for support post-Olympics
Following her disqualification, Phogat expressed deep disappointment but also gratitude for the overwhelming support she received upon returning to India. "My fight has not ended, it has rather just begun. The fight for our daughters' honor has just started," she stated during her birthday celebration where she was honored with a gold medal by Sarvkhap Panchayat. Despite her setback at the Olympics, Phogat remains committed to her sport and the cause of women's empowerment in India.
Phogat's unsuccessful appeal and retirement announcement
After her disqualification from the Olympics, Phogat appealed against the decision made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and United World Wrestling (UWW) in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, her appeal was dismissed after a week-long hearing. Following this setback, she announced her retirement from international wrestling. Despite these challenges, Phogat remains a celebrated figure in Indian sports for her contributions to wrestling.
Phogat's heartfelt message to supporters and future plans
During a felicitation ceremony in her hometown, Phogat expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support she received. She described this solidarity as "a big medal" in itself. In her address to the gathering, she thanked the khaps for their support during both the wrestlers' protest and after her disqualification from the Paris Olympics. Despite announcing her retirement from international wrestling, Phogat remains committed to advocating for women's rights in India and continues to inspire many with her resilience and determination.
