“Vinesh Phogat is a fighter, she deserved a medal” – PR Sreejesh backs India wrestler amid Paris Olympics controversy 

Former Indian hockey player PR Sreejesh said that Vinesh Phogat deserved to win a medal in the Paris Olympics 2024. Vinesh had confirmed a silver after becoming the first Indian woman to qualify for the finals of a boxing event. But on the day of her gold-medal bout with USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt, it was discovered that Vinesh was 100 grams overweight and she was disqualified.

Sreejesh, who recently retired from international hockey, talked about a conversation with Vinesh where she wished the Indian team before their bronze-medal match against Spain. Sreejesh said that he would not have much clue had he been in Vinesh’s position.

​

“The next day before our bronze medal match, I met her and she said 'Bhai good luck, play well'. I felt like she was hiding her pain with that smile. She is a real fighter," Sreejesh said (per PTI).

"There are two views, one being an athlete she deserved a medal, getting into the final, they snatched it from her, silver for sure. She was strong. If I was in her situation, I don't what I would have done," Sreejesh added.

---

Vinesh Phogat returns empty-handed from Paris Olympics

India won six medals in the Olympics in Paris, but they could not end with their seventh, as Vinesh Phogat missed out on winning a medal. The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) decided not to give her the silver medal after the 29-year-old wrestler appealed against her disqualification.

Vinesh started the 50kg category event with a stunning with over Japan’s Yui Susaki, who had won gold in the Tokyo Olympics. Vinesh managed to end her Japanese opponent’s unbeaten 82-match winning streak.

Thereafter, she eased past Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarters, after which she won her semi-final match comfortably as well. Just when Vinesh was set to become India’s first Olympic gold medalist in boxing, luck refused to favor her.

​