Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the 50kg wrestling final because she was about 100 grams over the stipulated weight. Javelin throw’s silver medalist Neeraj Chopra would open up on the situation and would acknowledge she has done remarkable things and was hopeful that god has bigger things planned for her.
“I haven’t spoken to Vinesh yet. But whatever she has done here, woh ek misaal hai (She is an example). To beat Yui Susaki is in itself such a big thing. And after that, whatever she has been through, I don’t understand the rules of wrestling that well. But, she was on her way confitendly to gold. But then, this happened. I was having breakfast in the morning when I got to know this. Felt really, really sad,” said Chopra addressing the press.
Everyone knows how tough Vinesh’s journey has been. In 2016, to overcome such a dangerous injury, and then in 2020 have more injuries. She has been through so many personal setbacks. And for her to come back from that, recover from it, get herself to this position and be mentally strong from all that…it was going so well. Phir pata nahi, bhagwan ko kuch aur hi Manzoor tha (Then I don’t know, God had something else in mind).. But we know that whatever she has done, it is great.
Following her heartbreaking disqualification in the Paris Olympics wrestling final, Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling on Thursday. “Mother, wrestling beat me, I lost. Your dream and my courage are all broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will forever be in your debt,” Vinesh wrote on X.
Taking to social media, Vinesh’s compatriot Bajrang Punia wrote: “Vinesh, you have not lost, you have been defeated, for us you will always be a winner, you are not only the daughter of India but also the pride of India.”
