India’s Vinesh Phogat, a prominent wrestler and world bronze medallist, announced her retirement from the sport on Thursday after being disqualified from the women’s 50kg competition at the Paris Olympics for being overweight by 100 grams.
Phogat, 29, who has been a significant figure in Indian wrestling, was scheduled to compete for the gold medal against Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States. However, her disqualification prevented her from competing, leaving her dreams of Olympic glory unfulfilled.
In a heartfelt message on social media platform X, Phogat expressed her anguish, writing, “Mother wrestling won against me, I lost. Your dreams and my courage are shattered. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. I will forever be indebted to you all. Sorry.”
Hildebrandt went on to win the gold medal in the final against Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who was reinstated after losing her semi-final match to Phogat.
Phogat’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable career that included three Commonwealth Games gold medals. Her journey in the sport has been marked by both triumphs and challenges, including her role in a high-profile protest last year against the then-chief of Indian wrestling, who was accused of sexual harassment.
Videos of Phogat’s intense efforts to cut weight for the final, showing her with chopped hair and a gaunt appearance, went viral on social media, highlighting the physical and emotional toll the process took on her.
Phogat has reportedly appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her disqualification, seeking a joint silver medal. CAS is expected to announce its decision later on Thursday.
Despite the setback, Phogat’s legacy in Indian wrestling remains strong. Fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia, a Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist and leader in last year’s protests, voiced his support on social media, saying, “You will always remain a winner for us. Apart from being India’s daughter, you are the pride of India.”
Sakshi Malik, another Olympic bronze-medallist and protest leader, added, “Every daughter has lost for whom you fought and won.”
Phogat’s career was also marked by her stunning victory over four-time world and defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the opening round of the Paris Olympics, which had raised hopes of a gold medal for India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his support for Phogat in a social media post, stating, “I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing.”
Vinesh Phogat’s retirement marks the end of an era in Indian wrestling, but her impact on the sport and her role in advocating for the rights of female athletes will be remembered for years to come.
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