Younger cousin of the famous Phogat sisters, 26-year-old Vinesh Phogat was recently suspended by the Wrestling Foundation of India (WFI) for misconduct and indiscipline at the Tokyo Olympics. Post the suspension, the star wrestler broke silence on everything and penned down her headspace through a report in Indian Express.
Writing down her thoughts, Vinesh explained that she wants her focus on the family, but is being treated as a dead thing. The wrestler also mentioned that losing a medal is like a full stop to the career of any sportsman. Opening up on the mental pressure, she wrote, “As an athlete, we are always on a thin line. When it crosses, we are done.” The wrestler also revealed about battling depression for three months.
“We celebrate Simone Biles as she said that I am not mentally prepared to perform at the Olympics and did not participate. Try saying that in India. Forget pulling out of wrestling; just try saying that you are not ready,” she added.
Tweeting in Vinesh’s support. athlete Tejaswini Shankar (TJ) tweeted,“Every medal we celebrate, every missed opportunity we thoroughly criticize, the difference is just one goal, one point, or one centimetre."
Every 🏅 we celebrate and every missed opportunity we thoroughly criticize, the difference is just 1 goal, 1 point or 1cm. But the effort is always 110%. @Phogat_Vinesh you are my idol and a champion by all means 💐🏅 #Wrestling https://t.co/MKEHMZJUvS via @IndianExpress— Tejaswin Shankar (TJ) (@TejaswinShankar) August 13, 2021
After the article went viral,fellow athletes and sportspersons came out in support of Vinesh and took to social media to encourage and cheer her up.Nikhat Zareen, an Indian boxer, tweeted, “An athlete needs most support during his/her low time. I’m really sorry to know what my dear friendis going through. I request everyone to stop criticizing her; instead, support her because she needs it now more than ever and back her to come back more stronger.”
An athlete needs most support during his/her low time. I’m really sorry to know what my dear friend @Phogat_Vinesh is going through. I request everyone to stop criticising her, instead support her because she needs it now more than ever and back her to comeback more stronger.🙏 https://t.co/LU6ZR59hcr— Nikhat Zareen (@nikhat_zareen) August 13, 2021
Heena Sidhu, an Olympian sharpshooter tagging Vinesh, wrote, “I read about you suffering from depression in 2019. I hope you are taking professional help, because it’s better fighting it with a team, just like sports. If you want to speak about it, I am here for you.”
@Phogat_Vinesh I read about you suffering from depression in 2019. I went through the same and it was very ugly. I hope you are taking professional help, becuase it’s better fighting it with a team, just like sports. If you want to speak about it, I am here 4 u.. 😊😊— Heena SIDHU (@HeenaSidhu10) August 13, 2021
Many more tweets poured in for Vinesh.
Heartbreaking when you read this. Wishing Vinesh Phogat lots of strength in this difficult time. Hope she takes some time off and feels better real soon. https://t.co/FqhOpPMswC— Darren Caldeira (@darrencaldeira) August 13, 2021
Keep your head up Vinnie Ji! You will bounce back like you have done before! @Phogat_Vinesh https://t.co/8zJqumO8KX— Wayne Lombard (@waynelombard) August 13, 2021
Take your time @Phogat_Vinesh. You are a champion in all our eyes! Stay strong and get well soon. https://t.co/i6u58K31P7— Mustafa Ghouse (@MustafaGhouse) August 13, 2021
Geeta Phogat, too, tweeted and supported her cousin during these challenging times.
छोटी बहन @Phogat_Vinesh जीवन के हर मोड़ पर उतार चढ़ाव है बस बिना रुके बिना थके आगे बढ़ते रहना है ओर किसी चीज़ से घबराने की ज़रूरत नहीं है 💪 हम Champion Vinesh Phogat को दोबारा ओर भी मज़बूती के साथ Wrestling Mat पर देखना चाहते है 💪 Paris Olympic तुम्हारा इंतज़ार कर रहा है🙌🇮🇳👍 https://t.co/APID6PpmLI— geeta phogat (@geeta_phogat) August 13, 2021
Meanwhile, wrestler Sonam Malik has responded to WFI with an apology.
Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here