Phogat Unsure of Retirement After Emotional Return from Paris

The decision to retire after the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris is causing concern for Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat. Upon being disqualified from the last match, Phogat, the first Indian woman to compete in Olympic wrestling, was upset. She was disqualified after her Olympic adventure was abruptly ended due to being discovered to be 100 grams over the weight limit at the weigh-in.

Phogat was left to consider her wrestling career's future following her disqualification, despite her historic feat and bright future. She has rethought her decision to retire due to the emotional impact of the Games and the warm reception she received upon her return to India.

Even though she didn't win an Olympic medal, Vinesh Phogat was warmly welcomed back to her native India. She rode through the crowd in an open-roof car and was met with garlands and flowers from her supportive supporters at the Delhi airport. In her Haryana village, where her community honored her, the festivities carried on.

Phogat stated candidly that losing out on an Olympic medal is a serious emotional setback from which he would take some time to bounce back. She informed everyone that her journey is far from over and that her fighting spirit is still strong, despite her uncertainty about her retirement and her decision to withhold specifics from the conversation.

The emotional toll of losing out on an Olympic medal was openly discussed by Vinesh Phogat, who said,"This Olympic medal has become a deep wound. It will take time to heal but I want to thank the people of my country, family and village for showering their love which will help me to cure that wound a bit. I guess I want to quit wrestling but I can't say anything right now if I have quit (wrestling) or if will I continue.”

Phogat expressed her thankfulness and resolve as she thought back on her recent experiences, stating, “Whatever courage you’ve given me I just want to take that forward in the right direction. Our fight has not ended. I just crossed a part of it (fight) but even that couldn’t be completed. This is a long fight, we have been fighting it since last one year and it will continue. I pray to God that truth shall prevail.”

Phogat appealed the rulings of United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following her disqualification from the Olympics. She was disappointed but unflinching when the CAS finally denied her appeal after a rigorous week-long hearing and her best efforts.

The Delhi High Court has ruled that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) shall be reorganized under the leadership of the ad hoc committee of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Prominent wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and her husband Satyawart Kadian made an appeal, and this decision was made in response.

The wrestlers requested this involvement in order to guarantee Indian wrestling had proper administration and support. The WFI, however, is worried about the court's ruling. They contend that this "interference" could endanger Indian wrestlers' chances and training by having a negative effect on their participation in the upcoming World Championships.