Shock and Heartbreak at the Paris Olympics
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has announced her retirement from the sport, just one day after her disqualification from the Paris Olympic 2024 Match. Vinesh, a strong contender for the gold medal in the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event, faced an unexpected setback when she weighed 100 grams over the limit during the morning weigh-in.
A Disheartening Disqualification
The disqualification struck Vinesh hard. Despite rigorous preparation, including starving herself and spending hours in the sauna to cut weight, she fell short by a mere 100 grams. Her attempt to overturn the decision through a protest at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was unsuccessful.
In her emotional announcement on social media, Vinesh expressed her deep sense of defeat:
“Wrestling won the match against me, I lost… my courage is all broken, I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will forever be in your debt.”
Support from the Nation
The news of Vinesh’s disqualification and retirement deeply affected her fans and the Indian sporting community. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many others expressed their support and encouragement on social media. They urged Vinesh to focus on the 2028 LA Games and continue her pursuit of an Olympic gold medal.
The CAS Appeal
Following her disqualification, Vinesh appealed to the CAS to overturn the decision. She requested that the CAS award a joint-silver medal to her and her opponent, Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman Lopez. The CAS set up an ad-hoc division to address this dispute, with a resolution expected on Olympic 2024 Match.
The Final Fight
Vinesh was set to face American wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt for the gold medal. However, with her disqualification, Yusneylys Guzman Lopez replaced her in the final. Hildebrandt won the gold medal with a 3-0 victory over Lopez.
The End of an Era
Vinesh Phogat’s retirement marks the end of an era in Indian wrestling. Her career, which began in 2001, included numerous achievements and struggles. Despite her disappointment, her contributions to the sport and her dedication will continue to inspire future generations of athletes. Stay updated with the latest Olympic 2024 Match from IPL365.
