‘Will Always Fight for What I Believe in’: Vinesh Phogat’s Heartfelt Note After Paris

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat penned a heartfelt note of gratitude to those who stood beside her during times of tribulations after the grappler made headlines with her statement performances at the Paris Olympics 2024, which ultimately ended in heartbreak.

Vinesh took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to thank Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, Dr Wayne Patrick Lombard, Coach Woller Akos, Physio Ashwini Jeevan Patil, Tajinder Kaur, Olympic Gold Quest team, Gagan Narang amongst others for their contributions towards her goal over the past few years.

Vinesh made it to the final of the 50 Kg women’s freestyle bout in triumphant fashion as he breeed past all her opposition to make it to the championship fight before she was disqualified for being overweight by barely 100 grams.

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She filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration Sport to ratify her results for the first day of the wrestling event, when she had met the stipulated weight requirements, and hand her the silver medal.

However, following multiple days of deliberation, the CAS presented a verdict that dismissed Vinesh’s appeal.

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Vinesh’s journey to the quadrennial in the French capital city was challenged by multiple factors such as injury and a protest that went on for over a year, but the resilient wrestler made the cut to the sporting extravaganza in Paris and dished out one incredible performance after the other as she got the better of Yui Susaki, who had an impeccable international record until she came across the Indian wrestler in the Round of 16.

Vinesh beat Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarterfinal of the event before Yusneylys Guzman in the semifinal to punch her ticket in the final.

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However, she failed to make the stipulated weight on the day of the final and was handed a DQ result.