Paris: Vinesh Phogat, the 29-year-old wrestling sensation from Haryana, announced her retirement on Thursday, following a dramatic turn of events that led to her disqualification from the gold medal bout in the 50 kg women’s category at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Phogat, who made history by becoming the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final, was just one bout away from securing a historic gold medal. However, her dreams were shattered when she was disqualified after the mandatory morning weigh-in on Tuesday revealed she was overweight by a mere 100 grams.
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), Vinesh expressed her sorrow and gratitude in Hindi, saying, “Ma Kusti (Mother, wrestling) won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage has been broken. I don’t have any more strength now.” She concluded her message with a poignant farewell, “Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024.”
https://x.com/Phogat_Vinesh/status/1821332432701779982
Phogat’s journey to the final had been marked by stunning performances, including a decisive 5-0 victory in the semi-final against Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez. Following Vinesh’s disqualification, Lopez stepped in for the final match and secured a silver medal, while America’s Sarah Hildebrandt claimed the gold with a 3-0 score.
In response to her disqualification, Vinesh has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver medal for the event. The decision is expected to be announced today.
Vinesh’s illustrious career spans three Olympic Games, where she competed in different weight categories: 48 kg in Rio 2016, 53 kg in Tokyo 2020, and 50 kg in Paris 2024. She has been a beacon of excellence for Indian wrestling, winning three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018, and 2022) in different weight categories and becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games in 2018. Additionally, she earned two bronze medals at the World Wrestling Championships in 2019 and 2022.
The wrestling community and fans worldwide are left to reflect on Vinesh Phogat’s remarkable career and her contributions to the sport, as she steps away from the wrestling mat with a legacy that will inspire future generations.