Phogat was barred from competing on disciplinary grounds for not staying and training with her Indian teammates.
Follow Us
Vinesh Phogat has sent her apology to the Wrestling Federation of India after she was suspended from wrestling further. Phogat was barred from competing on disciplinary grounds for not staying and training with her Indian teammates. However, even after the apology, the parent body may still not allow her to compete in the upcoming World Championship.
Added to the list of issues WFI had with Vinesh, was that she was seen sporting the name of her personal sponsor on her singlet instead of the official sponsor of the Indian contingent.
A day after her suspension, Vinesh revealed she was going through a lot of mental and physical discomfort during the Games. She said she did not have the services of her personal physio.
The 26-year-old on Friday replied to the notice sent to her by the WFI.
“WFI has received the reply and Vinesh has apologised,” a source, aware of the developments, told PTI.
The source added: “But it is very much possible that despite apology, she may not still be allowed to travel to the World Championship.”
No.1 seed and India’s ultimate medal hopeful Vinesh Phogat suffered a shocking loss in the Tokyo Olympics. Phogat, wrestling in the quarterfinal of the women’s 53kg freestyle event, was beaten 9-3 by Belarus’ Vanesa Kaladzinskaya.
The loss means that Vinesh’s dream for gold had been dashed. It was equally disappointing, considering how Vinesh’s chances for a medal were cruelly dashed in Rio Olympics 2016 due to injury. But, entering into the contest, the odds were heavily stacked. Kalandzinskaya had more experience than Vinesh Phogat, having competed in the 2012 London Olympics. In addition, the Belarusian was a two-time world championship winner while she had been winning gold, silver and bronze in the European championships since 2017.
Vinesh made a bad start and was already trailing 5-2 before the break. The Belarussian opened the scoring but the Indian immediately fought back. But, Kalandzinskaya managed to hold on to the lead. The Belarussian took a 7-2 lead and hope was fading fast for the Indian wrestler. However, the Indian challenged the call and the lead remained at 5-3. With 35 seconds left on the clock, Vinesh was pinned to the mat and Kalandzinskaya managed to win the match.
