Vinesh Phogat’s recent announcement of her retirement from wrestling has sparked a wave of emotions and discussions within the sports community. Following her disqualification from the 50kg freestyle wrestling final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, her uncle and childhood coach, Mahavir Phogat, has urged her to reconsider her decision, suggesting that it was made out of sheer disappointment.
An Emotional Appeal from Mahavir Phogat
In an exclusive interview, Mahavir Phogat revealed that Vinesh informed him of her retirement early in the morning on August 8, stating, “This announcement could have come because of the kind of mental state she must be in after losing out on a medal despite coming so close.” He expressed his intention to meet with Vinesh and discuss her future in the sport, emphasizing the importance of not making hasty decisions in moments of emotional turmoil. “Whenever anyone reaches this close to a medal win, they can take such a kind of decision out of anger,” he remarked.
Mahavir also highlighted that he, along with other prominent wrestlers like Bajrang Punia, would encourage Vinesh to come out of retirement and aim for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. “This was her third Olympics, and being this near to a good result broke her heart. We will motivate her for the upcoming 2028 Olympics,” he stated.
Vinesh’s Disqualification and Its Impact
Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics came as a shock after she weighed in 100 grams over the permissible limit, just hours before her gold medal match against American wrestler Sarah Ann Hildebrandt. This disqualification not only ended her hopes for a medal but also marked a significant emotional setback for the athlete, who had previously made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the Olympic final.
In the wake of her disqualification, Vinesh filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting that she be awarded a joint silver medal. The CAS is expected to deliver a verdict soon, which could potentially alter the outcome of her Olympic journey.
Mahavir Phogat remains optimistic about the future of Indian wrestling and the potential for Vinesh to return stronger than ever. He expressed his commitment to nurturing the next generation of wrestlers, including his younger daughter, Sangeeta, who he hopes will follow in Vinesh’s footsteps. “I want to make 100 Vinesh Phogats who will win medals in the Olympics,” he declared, urging female wrestlers to prepare diligently for the upcoming Games.
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