"It is highly heartbreaking" - Ravichandran Ashwin reacts to Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from Paris Olympics 2024
Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his disappointment with wrestler Vinesh Phogat being disqualified from the Paris 2024 Olympics ahead of her gold medal match. Vinesh was 100 grams overweight on the day of her weigh-in ahead of the final
Ashwin shed light on how the entire journey of a sportsperson is built around the Olympics and how it is the epitome of so many athletes around the world. He understands it would be heartbreaking for Vinesh to come to terms with the decision and the reality.
In a video on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin said:
"It is a very sad thing. Four years, eight years. It is meditation. It is a ritual for Olympic athletes. They have been there for so many years. She would have brought a medal back. She would have brought a lot of medals to our country. She has faced a lot of difficulties. Now, she has retired. It is highly heartbreaking for Vinesh Phogat."
Heartbroken from the decision, Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling. Former cricketers like Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar also expressed their support for Vinesh on X.
Ravichandran Ashwin congratulated the medalists in shooting
Ravichandran Ashwin congratulated the medalists from India's shooting contingent. Manu Bhaker won two bronze medals while Sarabjot Singh and Swapnil Kusale won a bronze each.
"They have won multiple medals in shooting. Shooting has been a hub. I remember Abhinav Bindra starting it. Manu Bhaker came home with massive celebrations. Swapnil Kusale, Sarabjot Singh. They are all extraordinary. To get a medal, you need a little luck. No matter how hard you work, they have that luck. They have done well. India, as always, has put in a lot of effort," Ashwin said in the same video.
Ashwin also shed light on the need to motivate the athletes and the youngsters to win more medals for the country in the future. He understands that this process will take time and urged his subscribers to support the Indian athletes.