Vinesh describes Dr Pardiwala as 'an angel in disguise sent by god', says would've wrestled till 2032 'under different circumstances'

In her first statement since her appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her disqualification from the Paris Olympics was dismissed , ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat was effusive in her praise for IOA-appointed medical team as well as support staff, particularly Chief Medical Officer Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala whom she described as an “angel sent in disguise by God”.

Vinesh had become the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final after winning all three of her bouts on Day 1 of the women’s 50kg event. The following day, however, Vinesh was disqualified from the event after she was found to be overweight by 100 grams, despite resorting to extreme measures to cut weight.

Vinesh would later file an appeal before an ad-hoc panel setup by CAS in Paris specially for the Olympics, where the was represented by four lawyers from the Paris Bar, hoping to fly back home with a joint silver medal. Her appeal, however, was dismissed on Wednesday, shattering her dreams of adding an Olympic medal to two bronze medals at the World Championships.

Read | Vinesh Phogat loses silver medal appeal: Sad end to a sad saga, but don’t forget her fight

“Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala. This is not a new name in Indian sports. For me, and I think for many other Indian athletes, he is not just a doctor but an angel in disguise sent by god. When I had stopped believing in myself after facing injuries, it was his belief, work and faith in me that got me back on my feet again,” Vinesh wrote in an open letter that was shared on her social media accounts.

“He operated on me not once but thrice (both knees and one elbow) and has shown me how resilient the human body can be. His dedication, kindness and honesty towards his work and towards Indian Sports is something no one will doubt including God. I’m forever grateful to him and his entire team for their work and dedication. As a part of the Indian contingent, having him present at the Paris Olympics was a god’s gift for all fellow athletes,” Vinesh further wrote.

The medical team led by renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Pardiwala, had come under heavy criticism, particularly on social media, following Vinesh’s inability to stay within the weight limit and her subsequent disqualification.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha, however, firmly defended Dr Pardiwala and his team and said that the responsiblity of managing her weight lay solely with Vinesh and her personal support staff and not on the medical team that was appointed to oversee the needs of the entire 117-member contingent.

Besides Dr Pardiwala, the wrestler also thanked Chef de Mission Gagan Narang as well as the Olympic Gold Quest programme as well as some of the individuals behind it including former hockey player Viren Rasquinha.

Read | Vinesh Phogat’s coach felt wrestler ‘might die’ during weight-cut process

“I cannot imagine the upward journey Indian Sports has had without the contributions of OGQ. What this entire team has achieved in the past decades is all because of the people in this team and their honest passion towards sports. In two of the most difficult times in recent years, one - post-Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and two - post the Wrestler’s protest and ACL surgery in 2023, it was because of their backing and constant support that I could overcome. Not a day passed by without them checking in, making sure I was safe, progressing and on the right path. Me and my many fellow athletes in this generation are very very lucky to have OGQ, an organisation made up of and founded by some legendary athletes who take care of us.

“CDM Gagan Narang sir and the Olympic team support staff. I met Gagan sir in close acquaintance for the first time and his kindness an empathy towards an athlete was exactly what is needed in high-pressure situation like the games. I want to appreciate the genuine efforts of the entire team that worked day and night for the Indian contingent in the games Village. The recovery room team, masseuse was something I had never experienced in my entire career during the games,” Vinesh further wrote in her letter.

Shortly after her disqualification last week, the heartbroken 29-year-old would announce her retirement from the sport. In her open letter, Vinesh stated that she would have continued wrestling till the 2032 Olympics had things turned out differently in Paris, and that she still has some “unfinished” goals, but stopped short of reversing her retirement.

Read | Vinesh Phogat’s appeal dismissal is no surprise, here’s why

“To my team, my fellow Indians and my family, it feels like the goal that we were working towards and what we had planned to achieve is unfinished, that something might always remain missing, and that things might never be the same again.

“Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032, because the fight in me and wrestling in me will always be there. I can’t predict what the future holds for me, and what awaits me in this journey next, but I am sure that I will continue to fight always for what I believe in and for the right thing,” Vinesh signed off.