Vinesh Phogat retires after Paris Olympics disqualification, says 'I have no more strength'
Paris/IBNS: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has announced her retirement after she suffered a heartbreak by getting disqualified from Olympics 2024 due to weight issues missing out on a chance to clinch a gold.
Taking to her X handle, Vinesh wrote, "Mom, wrestling has won over me. I have been defeated. Forgive me, your dream, my courage is all broken, I don't have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024 I will always be indebted to you all for forgiveness."
माँ कुश्ती मेरे से जीत गई मैं हार गई माफ़ करना आपका सपना मेरी हिम्मत सब टूट चुके इससे ज़्यादा ताक़त नहीं रही अब।
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) August 7, 2024
अलविदा कुश्ती 2001-2024 🙏
आप सबकी हमेशा ऋणी रहूँगी माफी 🙏🙏
Vinesh, who was competing in the 50 kg freestyle wrestling category, was disqualified on Wednesday for crossing the weight limit by 100 gm.
Though she normally competes in the 53 kg category, Vinesh brought down her weight to 50 kg for the Olympics.
As per reports, Vinesh skipped meals, trained hard and spent sleepless nights to fit in the criteria.
The efforts went in vain after the Olympic Committee refused to give more time to Vinesh despite requests from the Indian officials.
She was disqualified on the second day of weigh-in.
India on Tuesday basked in joy after Vinesh defeated Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba by 5-0 to enter the Olympics 2024 women's wrestling 50kg final.
She stunned world no. 1 and defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the Round of 16, before edging out Ukraine's Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals.
Vinesh was set to take on Cuba's Yusneylys Guzman Lopez for a place in the final.