Geeta Phogat Mourns Vinesh Phogat's Wrestling Retirement Post-Olympic 2024 FINAL Disqualification

Renowned Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat announced that she is quitting the sport. This choice came after she was disqualified from the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris in the women's 50 kg freestyle event's final. Her Olympic hopes were crushed when she went over the weight limit by 100g during the final weigh-in, even though she had made it to the final and was promised a medal. Vinesh used the internet platform "X" to talk about her decision to walk away from the sport on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Vinesh Phogat wrote: 

“Ma Kusti (Wrestling) won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage has been broken. I don't have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024,”

Her disqualification was a key turning point in her career. Vinesh achieved history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal round in the Paris Olympics. This was not the first time that she made the nation proud. She also made history at the Asian Games in 2018, becoming the first Indian female wrestler to win a gold medal. However, on August 7, 2024, she was disqualified for being overweight before her final match against American Sarah Hildebrandt.

Also Read: The Inspiring Journey of Vinesh Phogat: From Humble Beginnings to a National Hero

Geeta Phogat expresses sorrow over Vinesh Phoat’s retirement from wrestling after the Olympic setback 

India’s 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and star wrestler, Geeta Phogat, has expressed her sorrow for the early retirement of Vinesh Phogat after the Paris Olympics incident. Vinesh’s retirement broke the internet and came as a hard pill to swallow for the nation. Her heroics in the Paris Games made her one step away from the podium. However, the overweight incident shattered her Olympic dream, and she decided to quit the sport on Wednesday. Expressing the pain her cousin sister, Geeta wrote on X: 

“Sister @Phogat_Vinesh, we will always be indebted to you for what you have done for the country. Your spirit and struggle will be remembered for centuries. You are an inspiration to all girls. Saying goodbye to wrestling like this is incredibly sad for the whole family and the entire country.”

Vinesh Phogat, after being disqualified, has appealed with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to be granted the silver medal for the event. As of now, the latest update from the event stands that American Sarah Hildebrandt won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.