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In a long social media post, Vinesh Phogat hinted at a possible comeback to wrestling from retirement, saying that under ‘different circumstances’, she would have prolonged her wrestling career till 2032. read more
 "Vinesh Phogat opens up on retirement, hints at possible comeback")
Vinesh Phogat's Paris Olympics silver medal appeal has been rejected by CAS. Reuters
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat shared a long and emotional post on social media on Friday, two days after she lost an appeal for a joint-silver medal at the recently-concluded Paris Olympics. In the post, Vinesh hinted at a possible comeback to wrestling from retirement, saying that under “different circumstances”, she would have prolonged her wrestling career till 2032.
Vinesh, who had become the first Indian woman wrestler to make the final of an Olympics, was disqualified after she was found to be overweight by 100 grams on the day of the final. She then appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in order to be awarded joint-silver medal, but the appeal was dismissed by CAS on Wednesday (14 August).
Vinesh Phogat loses silver medal appeal | Sad end to a sad saga, but don’t forget her fight
“Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032, because the fight in me and wrestling in me will always be there. I can’t predict what the future holds for me, and what awaits me in this journey next but I am sure that I will continue to fight always for what I believe in and for the right thing,” the 29 year-old said in her statement on social media.
The Haryana-born Vinesh also described the struggles her parents had to go through and how she became more resilient. She thanked them in the post as well as her husband Somvir. She also thanked Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, who was India’s Chief Medical Officer at the Paris Olympics.
In the aftermath of Vinesh’s appeal being dismissed by CAS, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said that they were exploring “further legal options”. “In light of the order of the CAS, the IOA continues to stand in full support of Ms. Phogat and is exploring further legal options,” the IOA said in the statement.
“The IOA is committed to ensuring that Vinesh’s case is heard. It will continue to advocate justice and fairness in sports, ensuring that the rights and dignity of athletes and everyone in the sports fold are upheld at all times.”
“We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our stakeholders, athletes, and the public,” the IOA added.
Vinesh had beaten Japan’s Yui Susaki in the pre-quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics, before getting the better of Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarter-finals. She then went on to thump Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman in the semi-finals, and was due to meet USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt in the final. However, after Vinesh was disqualified, Guzman took her place in the final, with the Cuban clinching silver after going down to the American. Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling on 8 August, a day after her disqualification.
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English (US) ·