In a surprising turn of events at the Paris Olympics 2024. Vinesh Phogat, one of India’s most celebrated wrestlers, announced her retirement on Thursday. This announcement came just a day after she was disqualified from the gold medal. Bout in the 50 kg women’s category due to a minor weight discrepancy.
29-year-old Phogat, who had become the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final, faced heartbreak after being found overweight by approximately 100 grams during the mandatory morning weigh-in on Tuesday. Her disqualification came as a shock to many, especially after her stellar performance leading up to the final. In her semi-final bout, she had convincingly defeated Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0.
Following her disqualification, Vinesh took to X to express her sorrow in Hindi, stating, “Maa Kushti won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage has been broken. I don’t have any more strength now.” Her words resonated deeply with fans and fellow athletes as she brought the curtain down on an illustrious career.
As the wrestling community and fans reflect on her contributions, Vinesh Phogat’s legacy stands as a testament to her resilience, skill, and dedication to the sport. Her retirement marks the end of an era, but her impact on Indian wrestling will be remembered for years to come.
Despite the setback, the final match proceeded with Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who eventually won a silver medal. The gold went to America’s Sarah Hildebrandt, who secured a 3-0 victory in the final. Vinesh has since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking a joint silver medal for the event. A decision on her appeal is expected today.
Vinesh Phogat’s achievements
Vinesh Phogat’s career is marked by numerous achievements. She is a three-time Olympian, having competed in three different weight categories across the Games. In Rio 2016, she competed in the 48 kg category, followed by the 53 kg category in Tokyo 2020, before moving to the 50 kg category in Paris 2024.
Her accolades include three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018, and 2022) in varying weight categories. Notably, she became the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold at both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games in 2018. Additionally, she has secured two bronze medals at the World Wrestling Championships in 2019 and 2022.
