‘Corrupt, rotten system…’: Internet abuzz after Vinesh Phogat announces retirement from wrestling

Indian ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat took to the social media platform X on Thursday to announce her retirement from wrestling following her disqualification from the Women's Freestyle 50kg event at the Paris Olympics 2024.

The wrestler was disqualified from the Paris Games after she was found overweight by 100 grams for the Women's 50 kg wrestling category.

Vinesh Phogat's emotional message announcing her retirement received more than 46,900 views and around 95 reactions at the time of this news report's publication. 

Vinesh Phogat dedicated her post to her mother and said, “Ma kushti mere se jeet gayi, main har gayi (My courage is all broken…I don't have any more strength now)," triggering emotional reactions from social media users.

‘Lack of support,' 'corrupt, rotten system’

In response to Phogat's post, one user commented that the “system and lack of support failed her” and that people had to wake up to such sad news early in the morning.

One of the users went on to post a probing question and said the system was corrupt. “When a corrupt and rotten system can fail Olympians, who are you and I ?” questioned the user.

Meanwhile, another netizen described it as a heartbreaking event beyond comprehension.“Today the entire nation will mourn, all because of bunch of few people. Thank you for everything, Vinesh. You will always be our hero [sic],” commented the user.

'…drained her physically, mentally and emotionally' 

Another user on X posted, “All the fights on and off the wrestling ring must have drained her physically, mentally and emotionally. She deserved to have retired with an Olympic medal. But destiny had other ideas. Nevertheless, she'll be remembered as a brave fighter who'll continue to inspire generations to come.” 

Another commented, “Vinesh, You will be remembered forever in the heart of all Indians,” along with a photo of the athlete smiling, with the Indian flag held high.

World Champion Jordan Burroughs reacts

Six times World Champion and Olympic gold medallist wrestler Jordan Burroughs also posted on X. He posted, “For those of you just waking up. Vinesh Phogat, Olympic finalist at 50kg from India, missed weight this morning and will be disqualified from the tournament. She was scheduled to wrestle American Sarah Hildebrandt in the finals today with an Olympic Gold Medal on the line. Hildebrandt will instead wrestle Guzman, the Cuban wrestler Vinesh beat in last night’s Semifinal 5-0. Vinesh, unfortunately, will be leaving Paris with no medal.” 

Vinesh Phogat disqualified

One of the users posted a timeline of the setbacks Phogat had suffered in her wrestling career at the Olympics. Along with a picture of Vinesh Phogat, the user posted, "Injured at the Rio Olympics. - Eliminated at the Tokyo Olympics (Quarters). - Disqualified at the Paris Olympics. A CRUEL ENDING OF VINESH PHOGAT AT THE OLYMPICS [sic]." 

Another fan termed the disqualification cruel and wanted to hug Vinesh Phogat. “I want to give Vinesh Phogat a hug 💔 This is straight up cruel [sic],” wrote the X user.