PARIS – Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the finals of the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event just before the Olympics final, has announced her retirement from the sport.
In a heartfelt message posted on social media, Phogat expressed her deep regret over her disqualification and apologized to the nation. “I am deeply sorry for not being able to fulfill the dream we all shared. I have lost the strength to continue, and I bid farewell to wrestling,” she wrote.
Phogat’s disqualification came due to a weight discrepancy, as she was found to be 100 grams over the 50kg limit shortly before the final match. She was set to compete for the gold medal against America’s Sarah Hildebrandt, but the weight issue led to her disqualification.
Despite reaching the finals, Phogat’s disqualification prevented her from securing at least a silver medal. She had been celebrated as the first Indian woman to reach the wrestling finals at the Paris Olympics, and congratulations were pouring in from across the country. However, the unexpected turn of events left her without the opportunity to compete for a medal.
Phogat’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable career that had brought significant attention and pride to Indian wrestling.
