Vinesh Phogat Retires from Wrestling After Paris Olympics 2024

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement on August 8, 2024, following her disqualification at the Paris Olympics 2024. The announcement of her retirement disheartened many fans, with many sending positive notes to her.

Vinesh Phogat, who had made history as the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final, was just one about away from securing a historic gold medal. However, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified after the mandatory morning weigh-in revealed she was 100 grams overweight.

Vinesh, who had delivered stellar performances leading up to the final, expressed her deep disappointment in a heartfelt post on X, stating, "Mom won the wrestling match against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream, my courage is all broken, I don't have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024."

In the semi-finals, Vinesh defeated her Cuban opponent, Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, with a decisive 5-0 victory. Lopez, who replaced Vinesh in the final, ultimately secured a silver medal, while America’s Sarah Hildebrandt, who was originally slated to face Vinesh, won the gold with a 3-0 score.

Vinesh has since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting a joint silver medal for the event. A decision on this appeal is expected to be announced today.