Paris Olympics 2024: Bajarang Punia, Sakshee Malikkh, Harbhajan Singh react to Vinesh Phogat retirement

Olympic medallists Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia, Shashi Tharoor, Harbhajan Singh and many others reacted to Vinesh Phogat’s retirement announcement after her disqualification from Paris 2024 Olympics via social media.

Vinesh Phogat of India rduring Paris Olympics 2024. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Vinesh Phogat has announced her retirement from wrestling after a exhausting experience at the ongoing Paris Olympics that saw her being disqualified from the tournament after making the final.

She was disqualified from Paris 2024 on Wednesday after she couldn’t make weight on the morning of her final in the women’s 50kg category.

Earlier, the 29-year-old had become the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final in wrestling. Sakshi Malik, the only other woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal for India, had clinched a bronze medal at Rio 2016.

In a social media post on Thursday early morning, Vinesh wrote: “Mother wrestling, you’ve beaten me. Forgive me. My dreams are shattered. My courage is broken. I don’t have any more strength now.”

माँ कुश्ती मेरे से जीत गई मैं हार गई माफ़ करना आपका सपना मेरी हिम्मत सब टूट चुके इससे ज़्यादा ताक़त नहीं रही अब।

अलविदा कुश्ती 2001-2024 🙏

आप सबकी हमेशा ऋणी रहूँगी माफी 🙏🙏

— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) August 7, 2024

Olympic medallists Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia, and many others reacted to Vinesh Phogat’s retirement announcement after her disqualification from Paris 2024 Olympics via social media.

Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh

A champion is someone who rises above challenges, inspiring the world with their spirit and determination.

And this is what we have witnessed through both @Phogat_Vinesh and #NishaDahiya.

Nisha's solid effort, despite suffering an injury, remind us that true winners are… pic.twitter.com/2d8j6kqlR5

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) August 8, 2024

Former wrestler and Olympic bronze medallist Sakshee Malikkh

विनेश तुम नहीं हारी हर वो बेटी हारी है जिनके लिए तुम लड़ी और जीती।
ये पूरे भारत देश की हार है 😭
देश तुम्हारे साथ है। खिलाड़ी के तौर पे उनके संघर्ष और जज्बे को सलाम 🙏🫡@Phogat_Vineshhttps://t.co/8W5MpdYUvD

— Sakshee Malikkh (@SakshiMalik) August 8, 2024

Wrestler and Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia

विनेश आप हारी नही हराया गया हैं, हमारे लिए सदैव आप विजेता ही रहेगी आप भारत की बेटी के साथ साथ भारत का अभिमान भी हो 🫡😭 https://t.co/oRTCPWw6tj

— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) August 8, 2024

Member of Lok Sabha Shashi Tharoor

इस सिस्टम से पक गई है ये लड़की
लड़ते-लड़ते थक गई है ये लड़की...#SorryVinesh! https://t.co/PkAGIqv1HWpic.twitter.com/59N38rT3Lx

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 8, 2024

Wrestler and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Geeta Phogat 

बहन @Phogat_Vinesh आपने जो देश के लिए किया है उसके लिये हम सब आपके हमेशा ऋणी रहेंगे 🙏
सदियों तक आपके जज्बे और संघर्ष को याद रखा जायेगा।
आप सभी लड़कियों के आदर्श हैं
आपका इस तरह कुश्ती से अलविदा कहना पूरे परिवार के साथ -१ पूरे देश के लिए बहुत दुःखद है 😭🙏🇮🇳 https://t.co/Ei4PHN7ATp

— geeta phogat (@geeta_phogat) August 8, 2024

Cricket broadcaster Harsha Bhogle

Vinesh Phogat cannot retire thinking she has lost. In spite of what happened in Paris, whatever the reason, she will inspire many with her strength and determination.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 8, 2024

Actor Amupam Kher

My CHAMPION! 😍💪🇮🇳🇮🇳 @Phogat_Vineshpic.twitter.com/wUGWmZHo8c

— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) August 8, 2024

Former boxer and Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh

Silver apna hai bhan 👊🏽 #VineshPhogathttps://t.co/vguepdO3nq

— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) August 8, 2024

Comedian Vir Das

Dear @Phogat_Vinesh I cannot imagine how disappointed you must feel. All one can say an Indian, as an admirer, you have won something that cannot be measured in gold silver or bronze. It lasts longer than metal. It is a legacy for athletes of all fields, a display of true…

— Vir Das (@thevirdas) August 8, 2024

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh

Bharat ki Beti. Legend @Phogat_Vinesh 🇮🇳🙌🙌 Respect 🙏 pic.twitter.com/T6RmGv1tpw

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 8, 2024

Former sport shooter and Olympic gold-medalist Abhinav Bindra

Dear Vinesh, It is said that sport is a celebration of human will. I have known that to be true many times in my career but never has it resonated more than today. As I look around me, I see a nation… pic.twitter.com/XflL03FJjY

— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 8, 2024

Chief Minister of Haryana Nayab Singh Saini

हरियाणा की हमारी बहादुर बेटी विनेश फौगाट ने ज़बरदस्त प्रदर्शन करके ओलंपिक में फाइनल में प्रवेश किया था। किन्हीं भी कारणों से वो भले ही ओलंपिक का फाइनल नहीं खेल पाई हो लेकिन हम सबके लिए वो एक चैंपियन है।

हमारी सरकार ने ये फैसला किया है कि विनेश फौगाट का स्वागत और अभिनंदन एक…

— Nayab Saini (@NayabSainiBJP) August 8, 2024