Vinesh Phogat (ANI)
New Delhi: Vinesh Phogat, India's renowned wrestler, spoke out for the first time with an emotional post after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld her disqualification from the 50kg freestyle wrestling final at the Paris Olympics. She was disqualified for being 100 grams over the weight limit on the day of the final match, and CAS also denied her appeal for a shared silver medal, leaving her without a podium finish.
Vinesh Phogat shared a poignant and introspective message on her social media account, tracing her wrestling journey from its humble beginnings in childhood to the present day, highlighting the unwavering support and sacrifices made by her parents and family, who stood by her through numerous setbacks, heartbreaks and disappointments. In her heartfelt post, Vinesh expressed deep gratitude to her dedicated support staff, including Dinshaw Padiwalla, the Chief Medical Officer appointed by the IOA for the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics 2024, who played a vital role in her journey.
Through her post, Vinesh poignantly recounted her early dreams, her father's lofty hopes, and her mother's silent struggles, which collectively shaped her unyielding resilience and determination. Moreover, she credited her husband, Somvir, for being her rock-solid support system, who steadfastly stood by her through the highs and lows of her wrestling career. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, including her recent disqualification from the Paris Olympics, Vinesh remained resolute and determined, acknowledging that the fight within her was far from over and that she would continue to push forward with unwavering resolve.
Vinesh Phogat, 29, reflected on her future in wrestling, saying, "Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032, because the fight in me and wrestling in me will always be there." She acknowledged the uncertainty of her future, stating, "I can't predict what the future holds for me, and what awaits me in this journey next." However, she remained resolute, affirming, "I am sure that I will continue to fight always for what I believe in and for the right thing."
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced on Wednesday that the Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) ad-hoc division has upheld Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Olympic Games, dashing her hopes of receiving a joint silver medal in the women's 50kg wrestling category. Vinesh was disqualified on August 7 for being 100 grams over the allowed weight limit during the morning's weigh-in, just hours before her highly anticipated gold-medal match against USA's Sarah Ann Hildebrandt.
Vinesh Phogat made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final, guaranteeing at least a silver medal. However, her journey was cut short when she was disqualified due to a weight issue, robbing her of a gold medal opportunity and a podium finish. As per United World Wrestling (UWW) rules, a wrestler who fails to meet the weight requirement at any point in the competition is automatically disqualified, resulting in the nullification of all their previous wins.
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