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Vinesh Phogat is awaiting verdict on her appeal to CAS after being denied from competing in her gold medal bout at Paris Olympics. read more
 "PR Sreejesh tells Vinesh Phogat")
India men's hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh retired after a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. AP
PR Sreejesh hailed Vinesh Phogat’s resilience and composure, saying the wrestler displayed remarkable courage in the face of adversity and was “laughing” when they met on Saturday at the Paris Olympics.
Paris Olympics: News, schedule, medals tally and more
The 29-year-old Phogat was prevented from fighting for the women’s 50kg freestyle gold medal for being 100 grams above the prescribed limit on the morning of the final, after which she appealed in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), demanding that she be awarded a joint silver medal.
A decision on the appeal is yet to be delivered by CAS.
“She was laughing when I met her at the village, but I know that she was hiding that feeling with that smile. It’s quite hard for any sportsperson,” said Sreejesh during the hockey team’s felicitation at the India House for retaining the Tokyo Olympics bronze medal.
“In spite of everything that happened to her, the way she fought back and showed sportsmanship is a big thing — the way she came back, fought back, and reached the final. It was shocking news for all of us. It was terrible news.
“We are together, and I will pray for her positive result so that we get another silver.”
Neeraj Chopra on Vinesh: ‘Don’t forget her even if she doesn’t win a medal’
The ad-hoc division of the CAS will take some more time to deliberate on Vinesh’s appeal and will announce its decision only on August 13.
“It’s a mental trauma, but I hope she will manage it. She is an example for everybody in our country, not just in wrestling but in any sport. This is what we want,” Sreejesh said.
“Win or lose, you are a star. You have done your job to showcase to the world what calibre you have, what culture you come from, and how tough you are. She showed that. She may or may not have won a medal, but she has won the hearts of 1.4 billion Indians.
“It’s the hard work of an athlete’s entire life to win a medal for their country. It’s a tough situation, but I believe that she’s a fighter,” added Sreejesh.
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English (US) ·