Olympic Dreams Dashed: Vinesh Phogat's Heart-wrenching Exit from Wrestling

Vinesh Phogat, a three-time Olympian, has announced her departure from international wrestling after a cruel disqualification at the Olympics for being 100gm overweight. Her emotional message on social media sought forgiveness from supporters and marked the end of an illustrious yet tumultuous career dominated by significant achievements and controversies.

In a heart-wrenching conclusion to her decorated but turbulent career, Vinesh Phogat has announced her retirement from international wrestling. The three-time Olympian and multiple gold medallist was disqualified from the Olympic finals for weighing 100 grams over her category limit, leading her to announce her retirement on social media.

"Wrestling has won, I have lost," Phogat, who was pursuing an Olympic gold in the 50kg category, wrote in an emotional message to her mother, Premlata, and her supporters. Her disqualification saw Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez replace her in the final, where American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt claimed the gold medal. Phogat has sought a joint silver medal through the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), but the sport's governing body has stated that current weigh-in rules will not be altered retrospectively.

Phogat's journey to the 2024 Olympics was fraught with difficulties, from battling a severe injury during the Rio 2016 Games to protesting against sexual harassment claims within the Wrestling Federation of India. Despite overcoming numerous hurdles, Phogat's final Olympic chapter ended in heartbreak, marking a poignant close to her storied career.