India’s ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat has announced her retirement from wrestling, just hours after her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024.
In an emotional post on social media platform X, she expressed her sadness and defeat, stating that wrestling had won the match against her. Vinesh made history on Tuesday by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the final at the Olympics, but her redemption story came to a heartbreaking end as she was disqualified for being overweight in the second weigh-in on the morning of the final. Despite staying awake and working hard to shed the extra weight, Vinesh was unable to make it back to the 50 kg limit and was found 100 grams over. She was so dehydrated from her efforts that she had to be hospitalized for IV drips.
This disappointment ultimately led her to announce her retirement from the sport, with a heavy heart.
Vinesh will always be remembered for her incredible achievements in wrestling, and she will forever be indebted to the sport that has been a part of her life since 2001.
