Vinesh Phogat, the celebrated Indian wrestler, has shared a heartfelt reflection on her life and career following her recent retirement and the dismissal of her Olympic medal appeal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
On Wednesday, CAS confirmed the dismissal of Vinesh’s application, which was filed on August 7. Vinesh had been disqualified from the women’s 50kg final after exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams. The ruling effectively ended her hopes of competing for the gold medal against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States.
In an emotional announcement on August 8, Vinesh decided to retire from wrestling, expressing her dismay and gratitude to those who supported her throughout her career. She penned a touching farewell, saying, “Maa kushti (wrestling) won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage have been broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will always be indebted to you all for forgiveness.”
Reflecting on her life, Vinesh shared on social media that as a young girl from a small village, she was unaware of the significance of the Olympics. Her early dreams were simple—”long hair, flaunting a mobile phone,” and other common aspirations of young girls.
Her journey was marked by significant personal challenges. Vinesh spoke of her late father, a bus driver who had dreams of seeing his daughter succeed, and her mother, who faced stage three cancer shortly after her husband’s death. “My father, an ordinary bus driver, would tell me that one day he would see his daughter fly high in a plane while he would drive on the road below,” she recalled.
Following her father’s death and her mother’s illness, Vinesh’s early dreams faded as she faced the harsh realities of life. “My mother’s dream was that all her children would live a life better than she did. Being independent and her kids being up on their own feet was enough of a dream for her,” she said.
Vinesh praised her mother’s resilience, which inspired her to fight on and continue her journey despite numerous obstacles. She acknowledged her husband, Somvir, as a pillar of support, describing him as her “best friend for life” who has always been there for her.
The wrestler also expressed her gratitude to those who supported her career, including:
- Dr. Dinshaw Pandiwala: Praised for his medical expertise and dedication, helping Vinesh recover from multiple injuries.
- Dr. Wayne Patrick Lombard: Known for his patient and creative approach to treating complex injuries.
- Woller Akes: Her coach, who Vinesh described as more than just a coach, but a family member in wrestling who helped her overcome self-doubt.
- Ashwini Jeevan Patil: Her physiotherapist, who provided dedicated support throughout her career.
- Tajinder Kaur: Her nutritionist, who played a crucial role in her weight management and preparation for the Olympics.
Vinesh also acknowledged the support from the Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) team and Gagan Narang, praising their dedication and kindness.
Reflecting on the wrestlers’ protest and her desire to honor the Indian flag, Vinesh expressed disappointment that she couldn’t fulfill her dream of showcasing the flag’s value at the Olympics.
Concluding her message, Vinesh acknowledged that while her Olympic journey didn’t end as hoped, she remains committed to fighting for what she believes in. “To my team, my fellow Indians and my family, it feels like the goal we were working towards is unfinished, and that something might always remain missing,” she said. “I am sure that I will continue to fight always for what I believe in and for the right thing.”
Vinesh’s story is one of immense courage and resilience, reflecting her unwavering spirit and dedication to wrestling despite the challenges she faced.
