WFI bans ace grappler Vinesh Phogat

WFI bans ace grappler Vinesh Phogat

Vinesh Phogat

The Wrestling Federation of India has banned ace grappler Vinesh Phogat for gross misconduct during the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics. Vinesh is the country’s first female wrestler to win a gold medal at the Asian Games but failed to step up at the Olympics. The top seed crashed out in the quarterfinals at Tokyo.

Phogat was earlier suspended for indiscipline at the Summer Games. According to WFI, the Asian Games gold medalist refused to stay with her compatriots in the Olympic village and even refused to train with them. Furthermore, Vinesh didn’t wear India’s official kit at the Olympics and wrestled in a Nike singlet.

Vinesh Phogat’s apologies fall on deaf years

Vinesh Phogat
Vinesh Phogat

Vinesh had apologised to the governing body for her actions during the Olympic Games. Reports had suggested that the disciplinary body might not put up with anything that the wrestler had to say and that has proved to be the case. This ban means Vinesh Phogat will not be featuring in the World Championships.

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WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh had shared that he wanted to set an example of the senior grappler. “She is senior enough to understand there is a proper costume for every tournament. We have to look at other wrestlers too. India’s wrestling isn’t dependent on one wrestler. We have to make sure no one makes such mistakes in the future,” he was quoted by TOI.

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