India’s star wrestler Vinesh Phogat announces her retirement after suffering a heartbreaking loss at the Paris 2024 Olympics. It is a stain in her illustrious career that she has not only left the sports community but also disqualified from participating in the Women’s Freestyle 50kg final.
The Paris 2024 Controversy
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Vinesh Phogat advanced to the women’s 50kg wrestling final after beating some of world’s top wrestlers – defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki (Japan), Oksana Livach (Ukraine) and Yusneylis Guzman(Cuba). Her road to the summit clash was nothing short of awe-inspiring as she emerged out of nowhere, against all odds to become the first Indian woman wrestler ever to seal a spot in an Olympic final.
But her dream was shattered when she was disqualified just before the final bout on marginally overweight by 100 grams. The disqualification was a crushing blow, one made harder to take after she had apparently gone to extreme lengths by cutting weight drastically through food and fluid deprivation. She was taken to a polyclinic at the Olympic Village for medical support after that left her severely dehydrated.
Legal battle and its arguments
The move, which resulted in her disqualification and prompted a legal battle at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), was challenged by Vinesh’s counsel on grounds that it was only 100-gram excess which did not provide any competitive advantage. The commission said the overage “may result from natural causes, such as water retention during hot summer nights and muscle mass increase after a workout or even be influenced by food that she is necessary to keep in good health while competing.
Moreover the principle of proportionality is also clarified in argument deeming that excessive weight should not have brought about such a heavy penalty, including disqualification from the finals and depriving her opportunity to compete for silver medal. The immediate reaction was to question the athlete’s health, and his counsel asked that judge for consideration of “the undue hardship” he faced.
The Emotional Farewell
Following this row and her ouster, Vinesh Phogat had hinted on social media that she may retire from wrestling. She wrote in a heartfelt message, explaining the pain and heartache as she referred to her mother: ‘Mother wrestling won against me I lost 💔. All shattered, your dreams and my courage,… I do not have it in me anymore. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. And I owe it to you all forever. Please forgive me.”
Vinesh Announces Retirement Resignation Takes Indian Wrestling To End Of An Era It is a legacy that few can now match she was two-time World Championships bronze medalist, three times Commonwealth Games champion and also gold winner at Asian games as well as the Asian championships.
Legacy and Impact
The journey of Vinesh Phogat is a story fit for legends as it represents fight, inspiration and success. Even though it was a bitter end to her Olympics voyage she firmly is one of the leading lights in Indian sport. But from this emerge the successes of her young athletes and like all good leaders she does not only inspire boys, but a whole generation who want to be wrestlers now globally recognised.
While the nation awaits for judgement, Vinesh’s tale is a walk through those tribulations and inexplicable pressures that elite athletes go through. But no matter what she leaves behind her contribution in Indian sports will always be remembered and cherished.
Vinesh Phogat Retirement:
This is why she was driven to tears in a poignant announcement of her retirement That is the journey of an athlete who gave blood, sweat and tears to her career but won —and lost. Even as Vinesh walks away from the wrestling mat for one last time, she leaves with a legacy that will motivate generations of young women and men to make no excuses when following their dreams!