Sports Desk, 8th August: In a shocking turn of events, Vinesh Phogat, one of India’s most celebrated wrestlers, has announced her retirement from the sport following her disqualification in the 50 kg freestyle wrestling final at the Paris Olympics. The announcement came through an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday morning, August 9.
Phogat, who has been a prominent figure in Indian wrestling, shared her profound disappointment and sense of defeat in her message. “Maa kushti (wrestling) won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage have been broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will always be indebted to you all for forgiveness,” she wrote.
Her journey to the final had been marked by a notable victory over Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, whom she defeated 5-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday night. However, her aspirations for Olympic gold were shattered when she was disqualified on Wednesday for breaching the weight limit. Phogat was set to compete against the United States’ Sarah Ann Hildebrandt in the final match.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha expressed her shock and disappointment over the disqualification. She highlighted that while Phogat is physically and medically well, the psychological impact of the incident is substantial. Usha assured that the support staff is actively assisting Phogat in managing her weight and coping with the emotional strain of the disqualification.
Phogat’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned over two decades, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of Indian wrestling.