Vinesh Phogat: Vinesh Phogat to retire: Mahavir Phogat says he wants to talk to her about participating in 2028 Olympics

After his niece Vinesh Phogat quit wrestling, Indian wrestling legend Mahavir Phogat said it was a logical decision to take after she was disqualified from the Paris Olympics. He also said that once she returns home, her family will try to convince her to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Phogat announced on Thursday that she is retiring from wrestling after being disqualified in the final of the 50kg freestyle event at the Paris Olympics.

Mahavir, Vinesh’s uncle, told ANI, “She was supposed to win the Olympic gold this time but was disqualified. It is normal to feel hurt after such a setback and that is why she has taken this decision. Once she is back home, we will try to talk to her about participating in the 2028 Olympics.”

Mahavir also praised Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Sain’s decision to welcome Vinesh back home with all the “respect, facilities and rewards that you give to Olympic silver medallists”. He said such a move will encourage other girls too.

“It is a good initiative by the CM. He has accepted the fact that she has won the silver medal. It is a good step and I support this. I thank the Haryana government, it will encourage other athletes if something like this ever happens to them.”

Haryana CM Nayab Saini on Thursday said that Phogat will be welcomed and felicitated as an Olympic medallist and all the respect, rewards and facilities that the state government gives to Olympic silver medallists “will also be given to Phogat with gratitude.” The Haryana Chief Minister wrote on social media platform X: “Our brave daughter of Haryana, Vinesh Phogat, performed brilliantly and reached the finals of the Olympics. Due to certain reasons, she might not be able to play the finals of the Olympics, but she is a champion for all of us.”

— NayabSainiBJP (@NayabSainiBJP)

Mahavir also said that he would not stop coaching until he was alive and also urged the parents and other people close to him to stop coaching. 2024 Olympic Games qualified female wrestlers, Anshu, Antim Panghal, Reetika Hooda and Nisha Dahiya to prepare them for the 2028 Olympics.
Vinesh qualified for the gold medal by beating Cuban Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-final on Tuesday evening.

She was scheduled to compete against American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt for the gold medal, but was disqualified on Wednesday for exceeding the weight limit.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha expressed her shock and disappointment over Phogat’s disqualification. She confirmed that while Phogat is physically and medically fine, she is disappointed. Usha noted that the support staff is actively helping Phogat manage her weight.

“After hearing the news of Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification, I am shocked and disappointed. I had come here to meet Vinesh; she is physically and medically fine. Mentally, she is disappointed. Our support staff is with her and trying their best to help her lose weight,” said PT Usha.

Earlier, Dinshaw Pardiwala, Chief Medical Officer of the Indian Olympic contingent, revealed that Phogat exceeded the weight limit by 2.7 kg after her semi-final. He added that efforts were being made to reduce her weight by restricting her food and water intake.

Phogat also appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday following her disqualification.

According to a source at IOA, Phogat has requested the CAS to award her the silver medal. The verdict is expected on Thursday morning.

“Vinesh Phogat has filed an appeal against her disqualification with the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) and is seeking the silver medal. CAS will give its verdict tomorrow morning,” the source had told ANI.

In a distinguished career, Vinesh has won two bronze medals at the World Championships (2019 and 2022), a gold medal (2018) and bronze (2014) at the Asian Games and three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018, 2022). She was also a gold medallist at the Asian Championships in 2021 and has also won silver and bronze at the continental level.