Three-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat’s decision to retire from wrestling after her unexpected exit from the Paris Olympics has disappointed many of her fans. She was disqualified for the final game after she was found to be overweight by 100 grams to qualify for the 50 kg category duel.

To reach the finals, she defeated the likes of Yui Susaki of Japan, the gold medalist in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. This shows that while she was in good form and a title favourite, time was not in her favour. Following her disqualification, Phogat took to X to express her anguish, stating, “Mother, wrestling has won; I have lost. Forgive me, your dreams, my courage; all is broken.” Soon after, she announced her retirement from the sport.

Phogat was in the news last year for participating in the wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over alleged “sexual harassment” of some of her junior peers against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

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Announcing her retirement, she wrote on X, “I do not have any more strength now. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. I shall be indebted to you all forever.” Meanwhile, PTI reported that her cousin Babita Phogat and uncle Mahavir have asked her to reconsider her decision. Her uncle said he would try to convince her to continue playing once she returned home. For Phogat, the disqualification was a blow to her career, which apparently prompted her decision.

However, Phogat will be entitled to the medal and recognition, and although there may not be any monetary rewards from organisers, the Indian government may suitably do so.

In India, Olympic medalists are offered monetary rewards and government jobs for their contributions. For instance, according to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports gives cash awards to the medal winners under the “Special Awards to Medal Winners in International Sports events and their Coaches” scheme.

Under this scheme, the medal winners in the Olympics, Commonwealth, and Asian games are considered. The Olympic gold medalists receive Rs 75 lakh, the silver medalists Rs 50 lakh, and the bronze medalist Rs 30 lakh from the government. The medal winners in the Asian and Commonwealth games receive Rs 30 lakh for gold, Rs 20 lakh for silver, and Rs 10 lakh for bronze.

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What Has Government Announced For Phogat?

While support for Phogat is pouring from all quarters, the Haryana government has announced that she will be treated like an Olympic silver medalist. Chief Minister Nayab Saini announced that she will be given the prize money and all the facilities from the government provided to an Olympian silver medalist.

Meanwhile, she has filed an appeal against her disqualification. According to PTI, Vinesh has appealed against her disqualification from the 50 kg category Olympic finals in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). She has demanded that she be awarded a joint silver medal after being forced out for being 100 gm overweight.