After Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement, everyone from wrestlers to the country’s politicians are reacting. In this episode, Olympic medal winner Bajrang Punia’s reaction has also come to the fore. He wrote on social media that Vinesh you have not lost, you have been defeated. Let us tell you, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified on Wednesday, 7 August due to being overweight in the 50 kg category of wrestling in the Paris Olympics. Phogat made it to the finals of this category. She defeated three wrestlers in a single day, including world number-1 and current Olympic champion Yui Susaki.
On Vinesh Phogat’s retirement, Bajrang Punia wrote on Instagram, ‘Vinesh, you have not lost, you have been defeated… for us you will always be a winner, you are not only the daughter of India but also the pride of India.’
While announcing her retirement on Thursday, 8 August, early in the morning, Vinesh Phogat wrote on Instagram, ‘Maa, wrestling won over me, I lost. Forgive me. Your dream, my courage, all are broken. I don’t have any more strength left. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. I will always be indebted to you all. Sorry.’
Vinesh Phogat was fighting in the 50Kg category at the Paris Olympics. On August 6, she defeated three wrestlers to make it to the finals, including world number 1 and defending Olympic champion Yui Sasaki. However, the next day after the match, she was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight.
Vinesh Phogat has complained against the decision of the Olympics in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). CAS will give an interim decision on Thursday about whether Vinesh Phogat will get a medal or not.
