'Vinesh Phogat, you have not lost, you have been defeated': Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia on retirement news

Vinesh Phogat’s retirement from wrestling early Thursday morning stunned the sporting world in India and beyond. Phogat, who missed out on an Olympic medal after being disqualified for failing to make weight, took to social media to announce her decision.

In an emotional post, the 29-year-old said : “Ma, wrestling has won, I have lost. Please forgive me, your dreams, and my courage, everything is broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. I shall be indebted to you all. Forgive (me).”

माँ कुश्ती मेरे से जीत गई मैं हार गई माफ़ करना आपका सपना मेरी हिम्मत सब टूट चुके इससे ज़्यादा ताक़त नहीं रही अब।

अलविदा कुश्ती 2001-2024 🙏

आप सबकी हमेशा ऋणी रहूँगी माफी 🙏🙏

— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) August 7, 2024

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Vinesh was assured of at least a silver on Wednesday when she stormed into the final of the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event at the Paris Olympics 2024. But on Wednesday she was disqualified after being 100 grams overweight at the time of weigh-in.

The wrestler has since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to be awarded a joint silver.

Her announcement led to an outpouring of emotions from Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia – the two wrestlers who constantly supported Vinesh in the protest against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who has been accused of sexual harassment by female wrestlers.

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Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik said Vinesh’s retirement is a defeat for the whole country.

“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 his struggle and passion as a player,” Malik wrote on X.

विनेश तुम नहीं हारी हर वो बेटी हारी है जिनके लिए तुम लड़ी और जीती।
ये पूरे भारत देश की हार है 😭
देश तुम्हारे साथ है। खिलाड़ी के तौर पे उनके संघर्ष और जज्बे को सलाम 🙏🫡@Phogat_Vinesh https://t.co/8W5MpdYUvD

— Sakshee Malikkh (@SakshiMalik) August 8, 2024

Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia said Vines will always be a winner for her and the pride of India.

“Vinesh, you have not lost, you have been defeated, for us you will always be a winner, you are not only the daughter of India but also the pride of India”.

विनेश आप हारी नही हराया गया हैं, हमारे लिए सदैव आप विजेता ही रहेगी आप भारत की बेटी के साथ साथ भारत का अभिमान भी हो 🫡😭 https://t.co/oRTCPWw6tj

— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) August 8, 2024

Bajrang’s wife and Vinesh’s cousin sister Sangeeta Phogat wrote the wrestler’s decision shook them to the core.

Since childhood, we have seen Vinesh fighting for every right thing and getting up and fighting again after every defeat! Today, we cannot even encourage you because this decision of yours has shaken us to the core," the wrestler wrote on X.

हमने बचपन से देखा है उस विनेश को हर सही चीज के लिए लड़ते हुए और हर हार के बाद दोबारा उठ कर लड़ते हुए ! आज हम भी आपको हौसला नहीं दे सकते क्यूकी आपके इसे फैसले ने हमे अंदर तक झँझोड़ दिया है
आप एक महान खिलाड़ी है 🙏🏼😔💔@Phogat_Vinesh https://t.co/5TJu7JLVyF

— Sangeeta Phogat (@sangeeta_phogat) August 8, 2024

Legendary wrestler Geeta Phogat called Vinesh a legend.

Legend 🇮🇳🙏 @Phogat_Vinesh pic.twitter.com/d5s6st7at0

— geeta phogat (@geeta_phogat) August 8, 2024

The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision in the disqualification of Vinesh from Paris Olympics is expected to come on Thursday.