New Delhi: Moments after Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the gold-medal bout in the Paris Olympics after being found overweight, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a heartfelt message for the wrestler.
“Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India’s pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today’s setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing,” Modi wrote on X
“At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head-on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you,” he added.
Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India’s pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian.
Today’s setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing.
At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2024
Reports said that she was over the permissible weight limit by just 100 grams.
Speaking to the media, her uncle Mahavir Phogat said: “I have nothing to say. The entire country has expected Gold… Rules are there but if a wrestler is 50-100 grams overweight they are usually allowed to play. I will ask the people of the country not to despair, one day she will bring a medal for sure… I’ll prepare her for the next Olympics…”
On Tuesday, Vinesh became the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic wrestling final after she outplayed Cuba’s Lopez Guzman 5-0 in the semifinal bout. She had also knocked out reigning champion Yui Susaki of Japan in one of the biggest upsets of the Paris Olympics wrestling competition. Vinesh edged out top-seeded Susaki 3-2 in the round of 16.
