On Independence Day, PM Modi PM Modi honors Vinesh Phogat’s Historic Olympic Achievement Vinesh Phogat for becoming the first Indian woman to reach the final of an Olympic wrestling event. “Vinesh became the first Indian woman to reach the finals in wrestling, which is a matter of great pride for all of us,” Modi said during his speech to the Olympic team.
A Devastating Setback for Phogat
Vinesh Phogat, a 29-year-old wrestler from Haryana, made history by reaching the Olympic wrestling final. However, her Olympic dream was shattered when she was disqualified from the women’s 50kg gold medal bout. Officials found her to be “a few grams over” the weight limit on the day of the final.
Phogat’s Impressive Career
Despite this setback, Phogat has had a remarkable career. She has won three Commonwealth Games gold medals, two World Championships bronze medals, and an Asian Games gold. She was also the Asian champion in 2021.
Disqualification and Retirement
After her disqualification, Phogat appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver medal in her weight category. Sadly, the CAS rejected her appeal, ending her hopes for an Olympic medal. Following this disappointment, Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling on social media.
India’s Performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, 117 Indian athletes competed in 16 sports. India hoped for a record-breaking performance but ended up with six medals—one silver and five bronze. This was slightly below their record at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where they won seven medals, including one gold.
Phogat’s Impact on Indian Sports
Even though Phogat did not win a medal, Prime Minister Modi’s recognition of her achievement underscores its significance for Indian sports. Her story highlights the progress of Indian athletes on the global stage and the tough challenges they continue to face.
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