Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat remains uncertain about her future in the sport following a disheartening turn of events at the Paris Olympics 2024. Phogat, who made history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the finals of the women’s 50kg wrestling event, faced a sudden and dramatic setback when she was disqualified from the final due to being 100 grams overweight at the weigh-in.
Phogat’s disqualification brought her Olympic journey to a premature end, dashing her hopes of securing a medal. Despite this setback, she received an overwhelming show of support upon her return to India. At Delhi airport, her supporters greeted her with garlands and showers of flowers, celebrating her remarkable achievement of reaching the finals, even though she did not win a medal.
Her homecoming was further marked by a heartfelt reception in her village in Haryana, where Phogat expressed the emotional toll of missing out on an Olympic medal. “This Olympic medal has become a deep wound. It will take time to heal but I want to thank the people of my country, family and village for showering their love which will help me to cure that wound a bit,” Phogat said. She also reflected on her uncertain future in wrestling, stating that she was conflicted about her retirement decision. “I guess I want to quit wrestling but I can’t say anything right now if I have quit (wrestling) or if I will continue,” she added.
Despite her disappointment, Phogat remains resolute about her ongoing fight. “Whatever courage you’ve given me I just want to take that forward in the right direction. Our fight has not ended. I just crossed a part of it (fight) but even that couldn’t be completed. This is a long fight, we have been fighting it since last one year and it will continue. I pray to God that truth shall prevail,” she said, emphasizing her determination to continue advocating for herself and the sport.
Phogat’s battle extended beyond the Olympic arena. She appealed against the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and United World Wrestling (UWW) in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, her appeal was dismissed after a week-long hearing, marking a further setback in her quest for redress.
In a related development, the Delhi High Court has reinstated the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) ad-hoc committee to manage the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). This decision came in response to a plea from prominent wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Satyawart Kadian, who had sought judicial intervention due to concerns about the management of wrestling affairs in India.
The Indian wrestling body, however, plans to challenge the court’s order, expressing concerns that such “interference” might jeopardies Indian wrestlers’ participation in upcoming international competitions, including the World Championships.
Vinesh Phogat’s uncertainty about her future in wrestling underscores the emotional and professional challenges she faces following her Olympic disqualification. As she contemplates her next steps, the broader context of administrative disputes within Indian wrestling adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Phogat’s commitment to continuing her fight reflects her enduring passion for the sport, despite the obstacles she has encountered.