Why Is Vinesh Phogat Dithering Over Her Retirement Plan?

OB Bureau

August 18, 2024 1:50 pm

Pic Credit: Mid-Day

New Delhi: After the rousing reception she got upon returning to India, 29-year-old wrestler Vinesh Phogat is unsure of her retirement decision after the Paris Olympics 2024. Notably, Phogat announced her sudden retirement after she was disqualified from the final of the women’s 50kg wrestling event due to being 100 grams heavier at the weigh-in. As a result, her dream journey at the Games came to a tragic end although she etched her name in history books by becoming the first Indian woman to enter the wrestling finals in the Olympics.

Phogat was also felicitated at her village in Haryana where she admitted that missing the Olympic medal would be a deep wound which would take time to heal. Phogat also said that she was unsure of her retirement decision and refrained from speaking much about it. However, she assured that her fight would continue.

“This Olympic medal has become a deep wound. It will take time to heal but I want to thank the people of my country, family and village for showering their love which will help me to cure that wound a bit. I guess I want to quit wrestling but I can’t say anything right now if I have quit (wrestling) or if will I continue,” said Phogat, India Today reported.

“Whatever courage you’ve given me I just want to take that forward in the right direction. Our fight has not ended. I just crossed a part of it (fight) but even that couldn’t be completed. This is a long fight, we have been fighting it since last one year and it will continue. I pray to God that truth shall prevail,” she added.

After facing disqualification at the Olympics, Phogat also appealed against IOC (International Olympic Committee) and United World Wrestling (UWW)’S decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, her efforts ended in futility with the CAS dismissing her plea after a week-long hearing.