Olympic bronze medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia have expressed their profound sadness following the retirement announcement of wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who faced a heart-wrenching disqualification from the Paris Olympics.
Phogat, 29, was disqualified from her gold medal bout in the 50kg weight category on Wednesday after being found 100 grams over the weight limit. This disqualification led to her immediate exit from the competition.
Bajrang Punia
In response, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia took to social media platform X to offer his support. “Vinesh, aap haari nahi, haaraaya gaya hai” (Vinesh, you haven’t lost, you have been made to lose),” Punia wrote. He further expressed, “For us, you will always be a winner. You are not only the daughter of India but also her pride.”
In the wake of this setback, Vinesh Phogat shared an emotional post on Thursday morning announcing her retirement. “Ma, wrestling has won, I have lost. Please forgive me, your dreams and my courage, everything is broken,” she wrote. “I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. I shall be indebted to you all. Forgive (me).”
Sakshi Malik
Rio Olympics bronze medalist Sakshi Malik also voiced her support for Phogat. “Vinesh tum nahi haari, har wo beti haari hai jinke liye tum ladi aur jeeti,” (Vinesh, you did not lose, every daughter for whom you fought and won has lost). She added, “This is the defeat of the whole country. The nation is with you. Salute to the struggles and spirit of the athlete.”
Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who lost to Phogat in the semifinals, replaced her in the final against American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt.
Court of Arbitration for Sport
Phogat has since appealed her disqualification with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking a joint silver medal in the 50kg weight category. Despite this setback, Phogat had made history earlier in the tournament by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final.
This latest disappointment follows a series of challenges for Phogat. She miss out on a medal in the Rio Olympics due to an injury and face elimination in the Tokyo Olympics after being knock out in the quarterfinals. Her disqualification in Paris, attributed to a weight miscalculation after intense efforts to meet the limit, has marked a sorrowful end to her Olympic journey.
Phogat, who has a distinguished career with three Commonwealth Games gold medals, two World Championship bronze medals, and one Asian Games gold medal, remains a significant figure in wrestling. She also claimed the Asian Championship title in 2021.
