Vinesh Phogat reconsiders retirement decision post Paris Olympics setback
Vinesh Phogat, India's renowned wrestler, is reevaluating her retirement decision following the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her sudden announcement came after a disqualification from the women's 50kg wrestling event final due to being slightly overweight. This setback ended her Olympic journey prematurely, despite making history as the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic wrestling final. Here are further details.
Phogat's emotional return and future uncertainties
Upon her return to India, Phogat was greeted with a grand reception. Supporters at the Delhi airport welcomed her with garlands and flower showers. In her hometown in Haryana, she expressed that the missed medal will leave a lasting impact. "This Olympic medal has become a deep wound," said Phogat. She also hinted at uncertainty about her retirement decision but promised to continue fighting.
Phogat's historic victory and subsequent disqualification
On August 6, Phogat defeated top seed Yui Susaki, two-time European Games medalist Oksana Livach, and Pan-American Games champion Yusneylys Guzman Lopez. Despite her victory, she was required to lose approximately 2kg before the next morning. However, even after taking drastic measures including cutting her hair, Phogat failed the weigh-in by 100gm on August 7 leading to her disqualification from the competition.
Phogat's appeal and the wrestling federation's response
Post her disqualification, Phogat challenged the decision of IOC (International Olympic Committee) and UWW (United World Wrestling) in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, her appeal was dismissed after a week-long hearing. Meanwhile, Delhi High Court has reinstated IOA's ad-hoc committee to oversee WFI affairs following a plea by wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh, Sakshi Malik and Satyawart Kadian.
Phogat's heartfelt social media post and future aspirations
Phogat took to social media to share her wrestling journey from childhood and thanked her support staff, including Dinshaw Padiwalla, the Chief Medical Officer appointed by IOA for the Indian contingent at Paris Olympics 2024. She also expressed gratitude toward her husband, Somvir. "Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032," she wrote in her post.
