Vinesh Phogat has been given time till August 16 to reply to the notice that mentioned indiscipline on three counts.
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The Wrestling Federation of India on Tuesday decided to “temporarily suspend” wrestler Vinesh Phogat. The decision has been taken following indiscipline shown during the recently concluded Tokyo 2020 campaign. Vinesh’s campaign ended in a quarter-final defeat, much to the dismay of fans who were expecting the wrestler to return with a medal. The Wrestling Federation has further issued a notice to young athlete Sonam Malik for misconduct. Vinesh has been given time till August 16 to reply to the notice, which has mentioned indiscipline on three counts.
The wrestler had travelled to Tokyo from Hungary, having trained with coach Woller Akos. However, Vinesh refused to stay at the Games Village and train with other members of the Indian team. The wrestler further did not wear the name of the official sponsors of the Indian contingent, Shiv Naresh. Vinesh rather chose to wear a Nike singlet during her bouts.
This information is according to a report by PTI, with officials in Tokyo further informing that the 26-year-old created ruckus when she was allotted a room near those of her Indian teammates, Sonam, Anshu Malik and Seema Bisla. Vinesh argued that she might contract coronavirus since these wrestlers travelled to Tokyo from India.
“This is gross indiscipline. She has been suspended temporarily and barred from all wrestling activities. She can’t compete in any national or other domestic event until she files a reply and WFI takes a final decision,” a WFI source told PTI.
“WFI was pulled up by IOA for failing to control their athletes. IOA is issuing a notice to WFI in this regard. She did not train with any of the Indian wrestlers. One day her timing clashed with the training timings of the Indian girls and she chose not to train at the same arena with them,” the official added.
19-year old Sonam has been given a notice for misconduct for failing to collect her passport and asking a SAI official to do so on her behalf.
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.
