'I can then say...,' Wrestler Vinesh Phogat wants 'someone from her village' to break her Olympics record

India wrestler Vinesh Phogat said that she'd like a girl from her village to break her Olympic record set in recently-concluded Paris Games 2024. Phogat, who created history by becoming first women wrestler from India to enter a wrestling event final, was disqualified on the morning (Aug 7) of the bout in Paris.

She was found 100 grams over the permissible limit and was not allowed to participate in the 50kg freestyle gold medal bout. She, however, received the 'gold medal' from community leaders in her native village upon her arrival on Saturday (Aug 17).

"Whatever I have learnt in wrestling, I don't know if that is god-gifted or my hard work but whatever I have I would like to share with my sisters from this village and I wish they achieve greater heights than me," said Vinesh as reported by news agency PTI.

"I can then say with pride that she is from my village and I have trained her. I want that (my) records are broken by wrestlers from this village. Thank you all for staying up so late in the night for me.

"It would be disappointing if no wrestler emerged from this village. We have paved the way, given hope with our achievements. I request you all to support the women in this village. They need your support, hope and trust if they have to replace us in future.

"They can achieve a lot. All they need is your support. I will always be indebted to this nation, this village for giving me so much love and respect," added the wrestler.

Vinesh had appealed in Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) against her disqualification but her case was dismissed by the sports body on August 14.

She, nonetheless, received a hero's welcome upon her return to the country.