Shruti Suman
PM Modi praised wrestler Vinesh Phogat for the outstanding performance at Paris Olympics 2024, where she made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the final match. On Independence Day, PM Modi hosted a meeting with Indian athletes and medalists from the Paris Olympics at his residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi. During the event, he acknowledged Vinesh’s significant accomplishment, remarking, “Vinesh’s achievement as the first Indian woman to reach the finals in wrestling is a source of immense pride for our nation.”
Unfortunately, Vinesh’s historic run was marred when she was disqualified from the women’s 50 kg gold medal bout due to being marginally over the weight limit on the morning of the final.
Following this disappointing outcome, Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling via social media.
The Haryana-based wrestler has an illustrious career, including three Commonwealth Games gold medals, two World Championship bronze medals, and one Asian Games gold medal, along with being named the Asian champion in 2021.
Vinesh sought redressal through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting a joint silver medal in the 50 kg weight category. However, her appeal was rejected by the Ad-Hoc Division of CAS, preventing her from achieving her goal of an Olympic medal.
At the Paris Olympics, India was represented by 117 athletes competing in 16 sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, equestrian, golf, hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, wrestling, table tennis, and tennis.
India secured a total of six medals—one silver and five bronze—at the Paris Games. Despite strong expectations, the country narrowly fell short of surpassing its record from the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where it won seven medals (1 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze) and achieved a 48th place ranking.
Khushi Sikarwar
