Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat fell short of Olympic glory at the Paris Games, despite undergoing extreme measures to make weight for the competition. Phogat starved herself, exercised rigorously, and spent hours in the sauna to cut down to the 50kg mark required for the event. However, she ultimately fell 100 grams short, leading to her disqualification and replacement in the final.
Phogat’s campaign had started strong with an upset victory over the defending champion, but it ended in disappointment as she was unable to meet the weight requirement despite drastic efforts. Following her disqualification, Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling, expressing her shattered dreams and lack of strength to continue.
Despite the setback, Phogat received widespread support from Indian athletes, authorities, and fans on social media. PM Narendra Modi referred to her as a “champion among champions” and praised her resilience in the face of adversity.
The rollercoaster career of Vinesh Phogat came to an end at the Paris Games, highlighting the intense physical and mental challenges faced by athletes in pursuit of Olympic success. While she fell short of her ultimate goal, Phogat’s determination and spirit have left a lasting impression on the Indian sporting community.
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