Vinesh Phogat announces her retirement from international wrestling following her Olympic disqualification and struggles with weight cutting

Paris, 08-08-2024: In a poignant announcement, Vinesh Phogat has decided to retire from international wrestling, citing her inability to continue due to the overwhelming challenges she has faced. The 29-year-old wrestler, whose Olympic dreams were dashed by an unfortunate twist of fate, shared her decision on social media, expressing profound regret and seeking forgiveness from her supporters.

Phogat’s announcement follows a setback at the Olympics where she was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight just before her gold medal bout in the 50kg category. This disqualification occurred despite her efforts, which included severe dehydration from drastic weight-cutting measures such as avoiding food and fluids and staying up all night. Consequently, Phogat did not compete in the final, and Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who had previously lost to Phogat in the semifinals, took her place against American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt won the gold medal, and Phogat has since sought a joint silver medal through an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

Phogat’s appeal is being considered by an ad-hoc division of CAS, which is handling disputes arising during the Olympic Games. Despite her hopes, the United World Wrestling (UWW) has stated that the current weigh-in rules will not be changed retrospectively, though they have shown some sympathy towards suggestions from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) regarding weigh-in regulations.

In her heartfelt farewell, Phogat addressed her mother, Premlata, expressing sorrow over her inability to achieve their shared dream. She declared, “Wrestling has won, I have lost. Please forgive me, your dreams and my courage, everything is broken.” Her departure from the sport marks the end of a significant career that saw her becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout in her category, securing gold medals in both the Asian and Commonwealth Games.

Phogat, who had been a prominent figure in the sport and a vocal activist against former Wrestling Federation of India head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh amid sexual harassment allegations, had competed in the 53kg category throughout her career. However, she had to drop to the 50kg category for these Olympics due to quota changes.

Phogat’s decision to retire underscores the immense physical and emotional toll the sport has taken on her, and she leaves behind a legacy of pioneering achievements and tireless advocacy for athletes’ rights.