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If you are on social media, then you might be well aware of the Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who qualified for the Olympics semifinals in the 50 kg category after defeating Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals. However, she was disqualified from the women’s wrestling 50 kg class for being overweight by a few grams. Reportedly, she spent the entire night in a sauna, did not eat or drink, and even chopped her hair and drew blood in an attempt to shed that extra weight, but unfortunately, she missed mark by 100 grams and was later hospitalized due to these extreme measures.
Vinesh Phogat announces retirement.
Later this morning, Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling through social media, seeking forgiveness from everyone who supported her. Vinesh, a three-time Olympian, wrote, “Ma, wrestling has won; I have lost. Please forgive me, your dreams, and my courage; everything is broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye wrestling, 2001–2024. I will be indebted to you all. Forgive (me).” Also read : (https://test.inpactimes.com/i-lost-vinesh-phogat-declares-his-retirement-from-wrestling-following-his-disqualification-from-the-olympics/)
Vinesh’s retirement garnered lots of reactions from several celebrities.
Dharmendra posts about Vinesh’s retirement.
Dharmendra posted Vinesh’s photo with a caption stating, “Darling daughter Vinesh, we are extremely sad to hear the news. You are a brave, adventurous daughter of the soil. We love you and always pray for your health and happiness. Be happy, healthy, and strong for your family and your loving people .”
Hema Malini’s take on importance of weight management.
While many celebrities like Samantha, Sophie, and Vicky Kaushal reacted to the incident and extended their support for Vinesh, stating she was a champion, a particular reaction by actor-turned-BJP MP Hema Malini is gaining lots of attention, definitely not for good reasons.
On asking about her instance about the incident, Hema Malini stated, “It is very surprising, and bada ajeeb sa bhi lagta hain ki 100 gm ki wajah se woh disqualify ho gayi. Kitna mehatwa hain apna weight aur wazan ko theek se rakhna! Hum sab ko isse ek achha seekh milna chahiye sab kalakaro ko, mahilayon ko sabko… Ki 100 gm also matters a lot! We feel very sad for her. I wish she lost those 100 grams quickly. Lekin milega nahi abhi. ”
Hema, hours later, after her first statement to the media, took to her social media handle and shared a picture of Vinesh Phogat with a caption that said, “Vinesh Phogat, the whole nation rallies behind you! You are our heroine in this Olympics. Do not lose heart – you are meant for great achievements and you have a bright future ahead of you! Just carry on bravely.”
It did not settle well with the internet. A user commented on her post, “We all saw ur comments. No need to act nice after receiving criticism.” Another wrote, “News me nicha dikhate ho ab us baat ko dabaneke liye y post”. “Shocked to hear ur initial comments. Lost all respect for you,” stated a third comment, while a fourth one said, “The comment you have made is of utter shame… really shame on you for saying such words. Don’t try to act so nice u are a shameless female making such comments. It is a ques on us to hv ppl like u in power.”
Gulshan Devaiah criticizes silver medal as ‘unfair’.
Gulshan Devaiah shared a picture of Vinesh on the micro-blogging site X with a caption stating, “Emotionally I hope an appeal is accepted & Vinesh is awarded the Silver but I also feel it’s unfair on every other athlete who’s been disqualified earlier under the same circumstances. I’m deciding to accept it and move on but it’s not really about how I feel. He added, “This must be unimaginable devastating on Vinesh & her team. As a fellow Indian, I say thank you champ!!! Be Well Vande Mataram.”
He received a comment asking him about any similar events that happened previously in Olympics to which he replied, “I don’t know. As much as i want her to win, get our appeal accepted, I’d want it to be on fair grounds. I’m no expert on this field or claim to have stats stacked in my inbox. I’m her fellow Indian who’s upset with this situation & also wanting this to be fair because I don’t want anyone questioning her win if the appeal is accepted (I hope it is & I hope our officials are making a strong case) More importantly i hope she’s ok with this unfortunate situation. The pressure and disappointment is unimaginable to us.”
While the Internet is in complete chaos and devastation after Vinesh’s disqualification from Olympics even after making every possible effort, she demanded that she be awarded a joint silver medal, and several appeals are being made for the same. Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who lost to Vinesh in the semifinals, replaced her in the final against American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt.
