In a disheartening turn of events, Indian wrestling sensation Vinesh Phogat has been compelled to withdraw from the Asian Games 2023 due to a knee injury she sustained during training on August 13. The injury has quashed her hopes of defending her gold medal in the upcoming games, which are scheduled to kick off in Hangzhou on September 23.
The 27-year-old athlete took to X platform on Tuesday to announce the regrettable news. A series of scans revealed that surgery is the sole recourse for her injury, with the procedure set to take place on August 17 in Mumbai. Vinesh expressed her profound disappointment at being unable to partake in the competition, a sentiment compounded by the fact that she secured gold in the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta.
With Vinesh’s withdrawal, the baton will be passed to Antim Panghal, the victor of the 53kg trials. Panghal, a 19-year-old wrestling prodigy, is currently participating in the U-20 World Championship being held in Jordan.
Vinesh, who clinched gold at the 2018 Asian Games, conveyed her gratitude to her loyal supporters, imploring them to stand by her during her period of recuperation. “I would like to request all the fans to continue supporting me so that I can make a strong comeback on the mat soon and prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics,” the two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist affirmed. She also extended her best wishes to the “Reserve player” who will be stepping in for her at the Asian Games.
This unforeseen setback not only derails Vinesh’s participation in the Asian Games but also marks her absence from the forthcoming World Championships. The trials for the World Championships are slated to occur on August 25-26 in Patiala. Vinesh, along with fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia, had been exempted from the Asian Games trials, a decision that sparked controversy within the wrestling community.
Panghal and Sujit Kalkal, who secured victory in Bajrang’s 65kg category trials, had contested the direct entries granted to Vinesh and Bajrang Punia for the Games, taking the matter to court. However, the High Court dismissed their petition. Subsequently, the committee appointed by the Indian Olympic Association resolved not to offer exemptions to any wrestler for the World Championships trials.
Although Vinesh and Bajrang’s participation in the World Championships has yet to be confirmed, the championships, commencing on September 16, will stand as the primary qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
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Haseena Ayoob is a regular contributor of The Chenab Times.
