After suffering a devastating disqualification at the Olympics, 29-year-old wrestling legend Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from international wrestling on Thursday. Disqualified for being 100 grammes overweight prior to her gold medal match in the 50 kg division, Phogat used social media to share her sadness and say goodbye to her remarkable career.
A Heartfelt Goodbye
“Ma, wrestling has won, I have lost,” wrote Vinesh in a heartfelt letter to her mother Premlata. I’m sorry; everything is broken, including your hopes and my bravery.”
The Final Blow
Just before her 50kg division gold medal bout, Vinesh was discovered to be 100 grammes over the weight restriction, which resulted in her disqualification. In an attempt to win a shared silver medal, she had appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). United World Wrestling (UWW), the worldwide governing body of the sport, has insisted that the current weigh-in rule will not be altered in the past.
Struggles and Determination
Vinesh had suffered from severe dehydration prior to his disqualification as a result of taking drastic steps to fulfil the weight threshold, such as fasting, avoiding water, and spending sleepless nights sweating it out. But in spite of her efforts, the odds were against her. Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, a wrestler from Cuba who Vinesh had defeated in the semifinals, took her position in the championship match against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt, an American. Hildebrandt won the gold medal, and Vinesh is hoping that CAS would grant them a joint silver medal.
A Legacy of Strength and Resilience
Several accomplishments have been made during Vinesh Phogat’s career. She created history by becoming the first wrestler from India to compete for the gold medal in her division at the Olympics. She has won gold medals in the Asian and Commonwealth Games, placed third in the World Championships twice, and placed third in the Olympics three times.
Apart from her sporting achievements, Vinesh has played a significant role in the campaign against sexual harassment in Indian wrestling. She has spearheaded demonstrations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former chairman of the Wrestling Federation of India, throughout the course of the last year. Several female wrestlers have accused Singh of sexual harassment.
A Challenging Year
Only a few months before the Olympics, Vinesh decided to move from her customary 53kg division to the 50kg one after Antim Panghal had clinched the Paris quota spot. Regretfully, Panghal was unable to win in the first round and was in danger of being deported after trying to use her accreditation card to let her sister Nisha enter the Games Village.
Final Thoughts
Even if Vinesh Phogat retires from the ring, her reputation as a trailblazer and champion endures. Her journey, which was characterised by tenacity, resolve, and an unwavering spirit, serves as an inspiration to a great number of athletes and spectators worldwide.
Read more: Marketing News, Advertising News, PR and Finance News, Digital News
