Vinesh Phogat announces comeback, aims for Los Angeles Olympics gold
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): India's star female wrestler and MLA from Julana, Vinesh Phogat, has surprised her fans by announcing a grand comeback to the wrestling arena. Vinesh, who had announced her retirement in frustration after being disqualified in the final of the Paris Olympics 2024, has now withdrawn her decision. She has made it clear that her dream of winning an Olympic medal remains unfulfilled and to fulfill it, she has started preparing for the Los Angeles Olympics (LA28) to be held in 2028. The pain of missing out on the medal threshold in Paris due to being just 100 grams overweight in the 50 kg category has long haunted her, but now she has decided to return to the mat with renewed vigor.
Vinesh Phogat confirmed her return with a deeply emotional post on the social media platform X. She wrote that after the Paris incident, people often asked her if it was her last trip, to which she had no answer for a long time. Vinesh admitted that she desperately needed some time away from the pressures, expectations, and ambitions of the mat. She wrote, "Discipline, routine, and struggle are in my blood. No matter how far I travel, a part of me always remains on the mat. My passion for wrestling never ends." Vinesh has now spoken about heading to Los Angeles with a fearless and unwavering spirit. Notably, this time, she described her "son" as a new member of her team and a little cheerleader, saying he will be with her on this journey.
It's worth noting that the 2024 Paris Olympics proved to be a nightmare for Vinesh. Despite becoming the first Indian female wrestler to reach the final, she was eliminated from medal contention due to weight limit rules. She appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but after a lengthy hearing, her appeal was rejected. Vinesh, who has returned empty-handed despite participating in the Olympics three times, is now determined to fulfill her unfulfilled dream.
Born in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, Vinesh Phogat made wrestling her life since childhood. She has won two bronze medals at the World Championships, one gold medal at the Asian Games, and three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. Beyond the sporting arena, she has also distinguished herself in politics, being elected as a Member of Parliament from the Julana Assembly constituency in Haryana on a Congress ticket in 2024. Now, the nation will be watching her return to the dual role of MLA and wrestler.