Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has said goodbye to wrestling after being disqualified before the final match of the Paris Olympics 2024.
Vinesh Phogat made it to the final of the 50 kg weight category of wrestling by performing brilliantly in three matches one after the other on Tuesday. She became the first Indian woman to do so.
However, just a few hours later, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for being over the approved weight.
Vinesh Phogat did not comment on this entire incident but she announced her retirement from wrestling on Thursday morning.
Vinesh wrote in a tweet, "Wrestling has taken a toll on me, and I feel like I've lost. My dreams and my courage have both been shattered. I no longer have the strength to continue. Goodbye to wrestling from 2001 to 2024. I will always be grateful to all of you. I'm sorry." Following Vinesh's announcement, Haryana Chief Minister Naib Saini praised her as a champion for all and stated that Vinesh will be honored as a medalist.
At the same time, America's legendary wrestling wrestler Jordan Borrow has come out in support of Vinesh Phogat. He has demanded that Vinesh Phogat be given at least a silver medal.
Vinesh Phogat could not play the Olympic final and despite reaching the final, she will return without a medal.
However, many legends of not only the country but the world have expressed their support for Vinesh.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia has said that Vinesh did not lose but she has been forcibly defeated.
He tweeted, "Vinesh, you will always be a winner for us. You are the daughter of India as well as the pride of India."
At the same time, Sakshi Malik tweeted, "Vinesh you did not lose. Every daughter has lost for whom you fought and won. This is the defeat of the entire country of India. The country is with you. Salute to her struggle and passion as a player."
Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik are among the Indian wrestlers who accused the then head of the Wrestling Federation and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment last year. However, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been rejecting the allegations against him.
At that time, Vinesh Phogat was also a big face of the players' movement and these wrestlers had protested in Delhi for months.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, "This girl has been fed up of this system, this girl is tired of fighting..."
Olympic gold medalist American wrestler Jordan Borrow has also come out in support of Vinesh. He has demanded a silver medal for Vinesh Phogat and has also called for a change in the rules of the Olympics.
He has said that weighing is done on both days in the tournament. In such a situation, there should be a relaxation of up to one kg in the weight on the second day. Time should be given from 8:30 am to 10:30 am for weighing.
He said that after winning in the semi-finals, both the finalists should be assured of medals, even if they do not meet the weight criteria on the second day. Even though the gold medal went to the player who was within the prescribed weight, Vinesh Phogat should be given the silver medal.
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