Vinesh Phogat likely to reconsider her retirement decision: 'Battle isn't over yet, journey feels incomplete'

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One of India’s most decorated wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat, arrived in her native village late at midnight on Sunday. She mentioned that she would be reconsidering her retirement after discussing it with her close ones.

Phogat had announced a sudden retirement after being disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024 for being 100 grams overweight just before her gold medal bout. Although her decision shocked many, she emphasised that the fight was not over yet.

"The desire for an Olympic medal is very strong. I don't know, but I feel it takes time to fulfill that dream. I don't know if I've actually left the wrestling that I want to leave behind or if I'll continue. The fight in life is long, and our battle isn't over yet. I've fought just a small part of it, and even that feels like it was left incomplete,” she concluded.

Furthermore, Phogat said she was overwhelmed by the love and respect she has received from her village and also promised to always stand at the forefront in the fight for their honor and respect.

"I left the airport this morning at 10 AM, and now it's 1:30 AM. I don't know if I deserve so much love and respect. I consider myself very fortunate to have been born in such a village and place where I have somehow played a role in upholding the honor and respect it deserves. So, I will always be indebted to this land, this village, and all of you. I will always be the first to step forward in the fight for your honor and respect,” she added.

Phogat also expressed a heartfelt wish that every household in her village produce a sister who surpasses all her wrestling records. Further, she stated that she would love to share all her wrestling knowledge and inspire the daughters of the village to reach even greater heights.

"I truly wish from my heart that every household in our village produces a sister who breaks all my wrestling records. It would be deeply sad if no one from our village had risen to that level. As much as I have learned in wrestling and as much as God has given me, I want to teach every sister in our village, and I want them to reach a level higher than mine,” she concluded.

Right after her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024, Vinesh Phogat appealed for a joint silver medal at the CAS. However, the plea was eventually rejected after multiple delays.