Vinesh Phogat has reacted for the first time after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected her appeal for a joint-silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Indian grappler was disqualified from her gold medal match in the women's 50kg wrestling event against Sarah Hildebrandt of the USA after she weighed 100 grams more than the required limit on the morning of the bout.
Also on ABP Live | 'No Stand As Of Now': BCCI Secretary Jay Shah On India's Plans For ICC Champions Trophy In Pakistan
Breaking her silence on the Olympic disqualification, Vinesh Phogat took to Instagram to share a picture of herself lying on the mat with her hands on her forehead.
Check Vinesh Phogat's viral Insta post here...
Vinesh Phogat was seen as a strong contender for the gold medal, particularly after defeating the reigning Olympic champion in her first bout. Unfortunately, she returned to India disappointed and without a medal. The impact of Vinesh's heartbreaking disqualification was so severe that she announced her retirement from wrestling, last week.
"Mother, wrestling beat me, I lost. Your dream and my courage are all broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will forever be in your debt," Vinesh wrote on X.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha expressed surprise at the rejection of Vinesh Phogat's appeal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Phogat's family members are also disappointed with the CAS decision, but they believe there is no recourse at this point.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, India won a total of six medals, including one silver and five bronze.