Paris — In a heartbreaking turn of events, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat (29) was disqualified from her final match for the gold in the women's wrestling 50 kg category at the Paris Olympics due to being 100 grams overweight. Despite this setback, Vinesh had already secured a silver medal for India, marking a significant achievement in her illustrious career.
Vinesh, a three-time Olympian and a trailblazer in Indian wrestling, made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout in her category. However, the weight issue led to her disqualification, prompting an emotional retirement announcement on social media.
MaaaN KauShaTaii MaeRae Sae JaiiTa Gaii MaaiN HaaaRa Gaii MaaaFi KaRaNaaa aaPaKaaa SaPaNaaa MaeRaii HaiMaMaTa SaB TauuTa CauKae iSaSae ZaYaaaThaaa TaaaQiTa NaHaiiN RaHaii aB.aLVaiThaaa KauShaTaii 2001-2024 aaPa SaBKaii HaMaeShaaa RiNaeii RaHauuNGaii MaaaFaii
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) August 7, 2024
“Maa, kushti mere se jeet gayi, main haar gayi. Maaf karna, aapka sapna, meri himmat sab toot chuke. Isse zyada taqat nahi rahi ab” (Mother, Wrestling won over me and I lost. I am sorry, your dreams and my courage are all shattered. I do not have any more strength now),” Vinesh wrote. She concluded with a poignant farewell to the sport: "Alvida, kushti (Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024)."
Over the past year, Vinesh has been a prominent figure outside the wrestling mat as well, leading protests against the former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by female wrestlers.
In light of her contributions and achievements, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced that the state government will honor Vinesh in the same manner as they would an Olympic medalist. According to Haryana's sports policy, Olympic gold medalists receive Rs 6 crore, silver medalists Rs 4 crore, and bronze medalists Rs 2.5 crore.
HaRaiYaaaNaeaa Kaii HaMaaaRaii BHaaaThauRa BeTaii VaiNaeSha FaauGaaaTa Nae ZaBRaThaSaTa PaRaThaRaShaNa KaRaKae oLNPaiKa MaeN FaaaiNaL MaeN PaRaVaeSha KaiYaaa Thaaa. KaiNaHaiiN Bhaii KaaaRaNaeoN Sae Vao BhaLe Haii oLNPaiKa Kaaa FaaaiNaL NaHaiiN KhaeL Paaaii Hao LeKaiNa HaMa SaBKae Lie Vao eKa CaaiNPaiYaNa Haai.HaMaaaRaii SaRaKaaaRa Nae Yae FaaiSaLaa KaiYaaa Haai Kai VaiNaeSha FaauGaaaTa Kaaa SaVaaaGaTa ouRa aBhaiNaNThaNa eKa...
— Nayab Saini (@NayabSainiBJP) August 8, 2024
Vinesh Phogat's legacy as a pioneer in Indian women's wrestling and her courage both on and off the mat will continue to inspire future generations of athletes.