‘Goodbye wrestling’, Vinesh Phogat announces retirement from wrestling after disqualified from Paris Olympics

PARIS: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from the sport following her disqualification from the Paris Olympics. Vinesh shared an emotional message on her X handle. ‘Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. Maa kushti (wrestling) won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage have been broken. I don’t have any more strength now. I will always be indebted to you all for forgiveness,’ Phogat stated.

‘Wrestling has defeated me, I have lost. I lost…my courage is all broken, I don’t have any more strength now, ‘Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024.’

29-year-old Phogat was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight hours before her gold medal bout in the 50 kg category. She announced her retirement soon after that. Vinesh, who would have won the silver medal even if she loses to American Sarah Ann in the final, had to return empty-handed. Vinesh, who made history as the first Indian woman to reach the Olympic wrestling finals, came out on the brink of a historic medal.

Meanwhile, Phogat has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her disqualification, asking for the silver medal. CAS will give its verdict Thursday morning.