Vinesh Phogat had announced her retirement from wrestling amidst the Paris Olympics 2024. The hasty decision came after the Indian wrestler was disqualified from competing for her gold medal match in the 50kg freestyle category.
To add to the bruises, the 29-year-old was denied a silver medal and was disqualified outright. Phogat's subsequent plea to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) was also dismissed this week.
She then announced via social media that she would be retiring from the sport after the heartbreak.
However, now that she has had time to cool off, we could again see Phogat competing fighting for medals in wrestling. She has hinted a return, but only time will tell if she was being serious.
BET NOW: Exclusive sign-up offers and bonuses when you bet on sporting action
When Did Vinesh Phogat announce her retirement from wrestling?
Shortly after her disqualification and subsequent drama, Phogat took to X to announce her retirement, stating how she had no more power left in her to go through any more hardships.
She begged for forgiveness from her mother, whose dream was left shattered, along with her resilience.
Mother, wrestling won against me. I lost. Forgive me, your dream, my resilience, everything is shattered. I don't have any more power left in me. Thank you wrestling, 2001-2024. I will be forever indebted to all of you. Sorry, a dejected Vinesh Phogat quoted on X while being in Paris.
माँ कुश्ती मेरे से जीत गई मैं हार गई माफ़ करना आपका सपना मेरी हिम्मत सब टूट चुके इससे ज़्यादा ताक़त नहीं रही अब।
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) August 7, 2024
अलविदा कुश्ती 2001-2024 🙏
आप सबकी हमेशा ऋणी रहूँगी माफी 🙏🙏
MORE: What happened at Vinesh Phogat's CAS hearing?
What did Vinesh Phogat say about being disqualified from Paris Olympics 2024?
Phogat, in her own words, revealed how she and her team tried their all to fall under the accepted weight range after the semi-final bout on August 6. She was adjudged as overweight by a margin of 100 grams, and was eventually disqualified.
"On the night of 6th August and the morning of 7th August, all I want to say is that we did not give up, our efforts did not stop, and we did not surrender but the clock stopped and the time was not fair. So was my fate," Phogat stated.
MORE: Which cricketer does Manu Bhaker idolise?
Will Vinesh Phogat make a u-turn from retirement to continue wrestling?
Vinesh Phogat has hinted a comeback from her retirement decision taken earlier this month. The wrestler is unaware of what the future holds for her, but has stated of her desire to play until Olympics 2032, if circumstances were normal.
"Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032, because the fight in me and wrestling in me will always be there. I can't predict what the future holds for me, and what awaits me in this journey next but I am sure that I will continue to fight always for what I believe in and for the right thing," the 29-year-old expressed via a social media post on Friday.
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) August 16, 2024
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >