New Delhi, India

On Thursday morning (Aug 8), Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling post her Paris Olympics heartbreak. The wrestler, who usually competes in the 53kg category, was scheduled to play her gold medal match in the women's 50kh freestyle wrestling final on Wednesday (Aug 7) before being disqualified for being overweight. Thus, this prompted her to step aside from the sport after coming so close to winning an Olympic gold.

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Post her retirement, Olympic medallist Sakshee Malikkh lauded Vinesh and gave her a shoutout on X. 

In an extremely sad post, Vinesh apologised to her mother, saying, "Mother, wrestling won and I lost to it, please forgive me.

Your dreams, my strength, everything is shattered, I don't have any more strength left in me."

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Also read: Vinesh Phogat announces retirement after Paris Olympics disqualification

To this, Sakshee replied saying, "Vinesh, you did not lose, every daughter for whom you fought and won has lost. This is the defeat of the whole country of India. The country is with you. Salute to her struggle and passion as a player."

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After Vinesh was shockingly disqualified, weighing marginally above the permissible limit, the 29-year-old's journey at Paris 2024 came to an end. In the run-up to the final, she had beaten the likes of Japan's Yui Susaki in pre-quarters, Ukraine's Oksana Livach in quarters and Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lope in the semifinal bout and was set to lock horns with USA's Sarah Hildebrandt.

Vinesh appeals against disqualification

Prior to her retirement, Vinesh appealed at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) against her disqualification from the 50kg freestyle final bout. "Vinesh Phogat appeals disqualification at Court of Arbitration for Sport. Vinesh asked to be reinstated for Gold match and then modified plea to ask for a shared silver. CAS has replied to the mail. CAS will give interim ruling tomorrow," reported WION's Digvijay Singh Deo from Paris. Notably, the appeal was filed at 5:51 pm Paris time (9:20 PM India time).

CAS stated that it can't stop the final after which Vinesh asked for a joint silver medal. The CAS will be delivering its decision on Thursday.