New Delhi: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Tuesday announced that she withdrew her name from the upcoming Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Hangzhou in China.
It should be noted that Vinesh Phogat was directly selected to go for the Asian Games and exempted to give trials. She made the announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter to reveal the reason of her pulling out her name is the knee injury that she got on August 13 in Mumbai.
She informed that she went through a knee surgery on August 17 as it was the only option left for recovery. She emphasised that it was her dream to keep the Asian Games Gold medal, which she had won in 2018 at Jakarta.
Unfortunately, she added, she will have to step down owing to the injury. Vinesh had informed concerned authorities so they can send Reserve player to the Asian Games in her stead.
Adding further, Phogat said she has set her mind on Paris Olympics 2024 and she will return to the mat at the earliest.
The ace grappler pulled out her name last month from Budapest Ranking Series 2023 due to her weak health. Phogat informed the Sports Authority of India (SAI) that she could not participate owing to “fever and food poisoning.”
As per the news, wrestler Antim Panghal will be sent on Vinesh’s position. Top wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat had received direct entry to the the Asian Games, Hangzhou. The Ad hoc committee made the decision and exempted them from trials that will commence from September 23.
After which, fellow wrestlers showed dissent alleging disparity. Wrestlers Antim Panghal and Sujeet Kalkal moved the Delhi High Court against the exemption given to two wrestlers. However, the High Court dismissed the petition.
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