Paris August 8 2024 : In a heartfelt social media post, Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling just a day after her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024. The Indian wrestler expressed her deep disappointment and sorrow, saying, “Mother wrestling won against me, I lost… Your dreams and my courage are shattered. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will forever be indebted to all of you. Please forgive (me).”
Phogat, 29, was disqualified hours before her historic gold medal bout for failing to meet the weigh-in requirements by 100 grams. This disqualification came despite her being the first Indian female wrestler to advance to the finals of the Olympic Games and assuring herself at least a silver medal in the women’s 50kg category.
Her drastic measures to cut weight, including severe dehydration and even cutting her hair, proved futile. After her disqualification, Phogat was taken to a polyclinic at the Games village due to her extreme dehydration.
Late on Wednesday night, Phogat appealed against her disqualification in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), seeking to be awarded a joint silver medal. However, the rules of the sport’s international governing body, United World Wrestling (UWW), and statements from UWW chief Nenad Lalovic indicate that the decision is unlikely to be overturned.
Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez replaced Phogat in the final and American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt won the gold. Phogat now hopes for a resolution from CAS, but the path ahead remains uncertain.
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