India’s star wrestler Vinesh Phogat was a clear gold medal contender as far as the Indian contingent is concerned. Not only the wrestling federation but the whole nation was rooting for Vinesh. However, the wrestler’s Tokyo Olympics campaign ended in the quarterfinals. Moreover, when Ravi Dahiya clinched a silver medal in his very first Olympic Games, a lot was being expected from the senior and Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat. She has taken part in the 2016 Rio Olympics, which also ended disappointingly for her.
Vinesh has indeed been the biggest medal prospect in the woman’s wrestling for India. On one hand, where the medal winners are getting felicitated by the Indian government, athletes such as Manika Batra, Sonam Malik and Phogat are facing disciplinary actions. Post the completion of the Tokyo Olympics 2020, it’s confirmed that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) have ‘temporarily’ suspended Vinesh.
What Led To The Suspension of Vinesh Phogat?
As per early reports coming in, both Phogat and Sonam Malik got a notice for misconduct owing to their indiscipline in the Tokyo Olympics. Vinesh can reply by 16th August to the notice. It included indiscipline on three counts. She was staying secluded from the Indian athletes. Vinesh flew from Hungary to Tokyo and further, she refused to stay with the fellow Indian Olympians. Moreover, she wore Nike instead of wearing Shiv Naresh, the official sponsor of Team India.
A source says, ‘She did not train with any of the Indian wrestlers. It appeared as if she had come with the Hungary team and had nothing to do with the Indian contingent. One day her timing clashed with the training timings of the Indian girls and she chose not to train at the same arena with them.’
The source adds, ‘This is gross indiscipline. She has been suspended temporarily and barred from all wrestling activities. She can’t compete in any national or other domestic event until she files a reply and WFI takes a final decision. WFI was pulled up by IOA why can’t they control their athletes. IOA is issuing a notice to WFI in this regard.’
Trouble is mounting for the star grappler.