"Setback Hurts": PM Modi On Vinesh Phogat Disqualification From Olympics
Soon after the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the 50 kg freestyle wrestling citing a few grams overweight at the Olympics 2024 on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi reacted, expressing his despair, saying that the “setback hurts.”
In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote, “You are India’s pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today’s setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing. At the same time, I know that you epitomize resilience. It has always been your nature to take on challenges head-on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you.”
Read Also: Vinesh Phogat Disqualified For Being Overweight: 10 Points
The unfortunate development for India at the Olympics came after Phogat beat World No. 1 and Tokyo 2020 champion Yui Susaki of Japan to qualify for the quarterfinals. The disqualification after the wrestler qualified for a gold medal bout is viewed as a huge setback to India’s prospects in Paris.
Read Also: Vinesh Phogat Disqualified From Paris Olympics
In the quarterfinals, Phogat confronted Ukraine’s Oksana Livach, beating her by 7-5 and securing the semi-final. She became India’s first woman wrestler to reach the final at the Olympics after beating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the penultimate bout.
Notably, Phogat was one of the key figures who led protest against the former Wresters’ body chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh against alleged sexual harassment. The wrester had faced arrest by Delhi police during her protest at the national capital.
