“Those Who Want Medals…” Bajrang Punia Hits Back At Brij Bhushan After Appeal Rejection (image-instagram/ bajrangpunia60)
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint Silver medal was dismissed on Wednesday. Vinesh was disqualified from the 50 kg freestyle wrestling gold medal for being 100 grams over weight.
The shocking decision came a week after Vinesh filed the appeal during the Paris Olympics. “The application filed by Vinesh Phogat on 7 August 2024 is dismissed,” the CAS said in its initial order.
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In the wake of the verdict, fellow wrestler and Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia took to social media to express his unwavering support for Vinesh Phogat, who is also his sister-in-law.
Despite losing the last chance to clinch the Olympic medal, Bajrang penned a heartfelt message to India’s ace wrestler on X, “I believe your medal was snatched away in the darkness, You are shining like a diamond in the whole world today. The pride of world champion, Hindustan Rustam-e-Hind Vinesh Phogat you are the Kohinoor of the country. Vinesh Phogat is becoming Vinesh Phogat all over the world.”
माना पदक छीना गया तुम्हारा इस अंधकार में,
हीरे की तरह चमक रही हो आज पूरे संसार में।विश्व विजेता हिंदुस्तान की आन बान शान
रूस्तम ए हिंद विनेश फौगाट आप देश के कोहिनूर हैं।
पूरे विश्व में विनेश फौगाट विनेश फौगाट हो रही हैं।जिनको मैडल चाहिए। खरीद लेना 15-15 रू में pic.twitter.com/8P1TwEiTiZ
— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) August 14, 2024
Earlier, former WFI chief Brij Bhushan during the wrestler protest had made a controversial comment. He had said, “Their medals are worth Rs 15”.
Hitting back on this, Bajrang Punia wrote, “Those who want medals, can buy them for Rs 15 each”.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha also expressed shock and disappointment at the CAS decision. The body also lashed out at the “inhumane regulations” of United World Wrestling (UWW) that fail to consider the “physicological and physicological stresses faced by athletes”.
As the case was dismissed, Vinesh Phogat will return back to India from Paris on Saturday, according to her wrestling colleague and Tokyo Olympics bronze-medallist Bajrang Punia. The IOA said it will continue to explore further legal options, however, as of now, the matter seems to be closed.
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The disqualification has raised discussion regarding the dangers of weight cutting in wrestling.
As India’s one of the ace wrestlers announced her retirement following the disqualification, Vinesh’s tribute to India’s brightest star serves as a reminder that her legacy would remain far beyond the number of medals she has won.
