Vinesh Phogat’s path to the 2024 Paris Olympics was marked by an extraordinary blend of determination and sheer willpower. As she entered the Champ-de-Mars Arena for her semi-final bout, the wrestling world had its eyes firmly on her and the 29-year-old wrestler from India achieved what no other Indian female wrestler had – a place in the Olympic final.
Her journey to this stage was nothing short of phenomenal. Phogat, known for her strong spirit, had already made headlines by defeating Yui Susaki, a wrestler renowned for her undefeated streak in international competitions. This victory not only pushed Phogat into the final but also established her as a pioneer in Indian wrestling.
On the day of her semi-final match, the wrestling community, including notable figures from other sports, rallied around her. Former Indian cricket captain Anjum Chopra praised her performance on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Bravo Vinesh!!! Brilliant stuff… #wrestling. Go for GOLD.”
Similarly, Jhulan Goswami, former fast bowler, celebrated Phogat’s historic achievement, saying, “Saw girl power at its highest peak today. Best of luck for August 7th. Bring home the Gold.”
To place your bets and earn real money, click on the image and sign up now:
However, the narrative took a heart-wrenching turn on the morning of the final as Vinesh was disqualified from the 50 kg weight class competition after she was found to be 100-150 grams over the permissible weight limit. Despite her best efforts, including a sleepless night and exhaustive attempts to shed the extra weight, she could not meet the strict criteria set by the competition rules. As per the regulations, Phogat’s disqualification meant that the 50 kg category would only feature a gold and bronze medal, with no silver medal awarded.
The wrestling community and sports fans were deeply disappointed by the news, but many continued to honor Phogat’s remarkable journey. Fellow cricketers and fans took to social media to express their admiration. Sneh Rana tweeted, “What a legend. You go, girl!” Shikha Pandey praised her with the message, “Vinesh Dhakad Phogat.” Jemimah Rodrigues and Harleen Doel shared their respect and admiration for Phogat on Instagram.
In the face of such difficulty, Vinesh Phogat remains a symbol of bravery. Her Olympic journey, though flawed by an unfortunate twist, has showcased her as one of India’s most courageous athletes and one thing is clear: Vinesh Phogat is, indeed, India’s biggest, bravest, and boldest Olympian.