Former India wrestler Babita Phogat has accused her cousin Vinesh Phogat of not thanking her ‘guru’ Mahavir Phogat for resurrecting her career during the formative years.

In her thanking note after the Paris 2024, the three-time Olympian thanked her coach, physio, and support staff, before announcing her retirement. But did not have a mention about her first coach, who happens to be her uncle.

Pointing out the crucial role Mahavir played in shaping her cousin’s career, Babita in a conversation on ‘Top Angle With Sushant Sinha’, said: “I have seen my father cry just three times in my life. First, when me and my sisters got married. Second, when my uncle died and third, when Vinesh got disqualified from the Olympics”.

“When my uncle died, Vinesh and both of her siblings suddenly quit wrestling. My father went to their house and fought with their mother to get them back to wrestling. Imagine how much he has worked to make Vinesh. But she thanked everyone except for that guru,” the former India wrestler remarked.

For the unversed, the two-time World Championships bronze medallist was disqualified ahead of her final at the Paris 2024, for failing to meet her weight by a little over 100 gms.

The premier Indian wrestler and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had appealed to the CAS for a joint silver medal alongside Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman. But the decision was ruled against the Indian wrestler.

Earlier, the National Anti-Doping Authority (NADA) served a notice for a whereabouts failure to the former Indian wrestler after sending a team to collect her urine sample.