‘Defeat for entire nation’: Sakshi Malik on Vinesh Phogat retiring after Olympic disqualification

New Delhi: Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik called it a defeat for the entire nation after Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling on Thursday, August 08. Vinesh decided to draw curtains on his illustrious wrestling career after getting disqualified from the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024 ahead of her gold medal match in the women’s 50kg freestyle category on Wednesday.

Vinesh, who became the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final, was on the cusp of history as she was one win away from the elusive gold medal. However, she was disqualified from the gold medal match for being overweight by 100 grams during her final weigh-in on the morning of her final bout.

The news of Vinesh’s disqualification came as a shock to many as she was one win away from bagging India’s first gold medal at the Paris Games. Messages of support poured in from all corners for the 29-year-old, who has also appealed against the International Olympic Council (IOC)’s decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) and demanded to be announced joint silver-medallist.

“Mother wrestling won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage have been broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024,” Vinesh wrote in a tweet, announcing her retirement.

माँ कुश्ती मेरे से जीत गई मैं हार गई माफ़ करना आपका सपना मेरी हिम्मत सब टूट चुके इससे ज़्यादा ताक़त नहीं रही अब।

अलविदा कुश्ती 2001-2024 🙏

आप सबकी हमेशा ऋणी रहूँगी माफी 🙏🙏

— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) August 7, 2024

Sakshi, who along with Vinesh spearheaded the protests against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment against him, hailed the 29-year-old’s fighting spirit. Sakshi said every daughter that Vinesh fought for, lost with her and that the defeat is for the entire nation.

“Vinesh, you did not lose, every daughter for whom you fought and won has lost. This is the defeat of the whole country of India. The country is with you. Salute to his struggle and passion as a player,” Sakshi said in a tweet.

विनेश तुम नहीं हारी हर वो बेटी हारी है जिनके लिए तुम लड़ी और जीती।
ये पूरे भारत देश की हार है 😭
देश तुम्हारे साथ है। खिलाड़ी के तौर पे उनके संघर्ष और जज्बे को सलाम 🙏🫡@Phogat_Vinesh https://t.co/8W5MpdYUvD

— Sakshee Malikkh (@SakshiMalik) August 8, 2024

Can Vinesh Phogat get a silver medal?

Vinesh’s hopes for a silver medal are currently pinned on the Court of Arbitration for Sports. The Indian wrestler initially appealed to be reinstated for the gold medal match after failing her weigh-in by a mere 100 grams. However, she later changed her appeal and asked for a joint silver medal to be awarded to her considering she made it to the final fare and square while being in the required weight.

The Court of Arbitration for Sports will announce its decision on Thursday, August 08 after a hearing on the matter.

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 Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik lauded Vinesh Phogat after her heroics at the Paris Olympics and said her retirement is a defeat for the entire nation. Vinesh announced retirement from wrestling after she was disqualified from the Paris Olympics for being overweight ahead of her gold medal match in the women’s 50kg category.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today