Vinesh Phogat in an article in The Indian Express responded to the allegations of ‘misbehaviour’ by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The wrestler was suspended on the ground that he did not train with the Indian team and also did not follow the training and jersey guidelines.
In the article, the wrestler has said how she loves the sport but is not sure about continuing it. After the article surfaced, the sports world stood firmly in support of the wrestler. Vinesh’s sister, Geeta Phogat, cricketers Kuldeep Yadav and other athletes came forward to support the wrestler after writing a heartfelt article about the ‘discrimination’ in the WFI.
Kuldeep Yadav wrote: “You are a warrior and athlete who never gives up. @Phogat_Vinesh You will come back stronger.”
Vinesh’s sister and wrestler Geeta Phogat wrote: Younger sister @Phogat_Vinesh, every stage of life has its ups and downs, just keep moving forward without stopping and don’t worry about anything. Waiting to see you back on the wrestling mat. The Paris Olympics awaits you.”
younger sister @Phogat_Vinesh There are ups and downs in every walk of life, just keep moving forward without stopping and there is no need to panic about anything has been https://t.co/APID6PPmLI
— geeta phogat (@geeta_phogat) 13 August 2021
You are a warrior and athlete who never gives up. @Phogat_Vinesh You will come back stronger. 🙏
— kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) 14 August 2021
Here are some tweets from other athletes and people from the sports fraternity:
It breaks my heart to read this. Wishing Vinesh Phogat lots of strength in this difficult time. Hope she takes some time off and feels better soon. https://t.co/FqhOpPMswC
— Darren Caldera (@darrencaldeira) 13 August 2021
An athlete needs the most support during their short run. I am very sorry to know that my dear friend @Phogat_Vinesh Is going through. I request everyone to stop criticizing him, instead support him as he needs it now more than ever and support him to come back stronger. https://t.co/LU6ZR59hcr
— nikhat zareen (@nikhat_zareen) 13 August 2021
Everytime we celebrate and every missed opportunity we critique wholeheartedly, the difference is just 1 goal, 1 point or 1 cm. But the effort is always 110%. @Phogat_Vinesh You are my idol and a champion in every way #Wrestling https://t.co/MKEHMZJUvS Via @indianexpress
Tejaswin Shankar (TJ) (Tejaswin Shankar) 13 August 2021
Vinesh Phogat is a champion wrestler who has won at least one medal in all major wrestling events around the world except the Olympics. He was heartbroken after the loss and the way he was treated by WFI.
“I don’t know when I’ll be back (on the mat). Probably not. Really broken,” she concluded.
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