'India is proud to call you its own': Manika Batra's heartwarming message for Vinesh Phogat after CAS dismisses silver medal appeal

Vinesh Phogat, still reeling from the heartbreak of being disqualified from the Paris Olympics gold medal match, has finally shared a glimpse into her emotional state. The wrestler posted a photograph on Instagram, marking her first public reaction since the devastating incident. Phogat had been over the weight limit by a mere 100 grams, a cruel twist of fate that denied her a chance to compete for gold. Following the disqualification, Phogat had appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). After a long delay CAS finally dismissed Phogat's silver medal appeal to pile misery on the wrestler.

"The application filed by Vinesh Phogat in 7 August 2024 is dismissed," CAS wrote in their official statement.

The star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat finally reacted to CAS's decision. However, it was without words, Vinesh posted an emotional picture of herself with a B Praak's song named ‘Zindagi’ in the background with no caption.

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Later, India's Table Tennis star Manika Batra posted a heartwarming message for Vinesh Phogat.

“You’re an inspiration to us all, sister. You deserve every applause and more – truly a gem of India. Your unwavering dedication and strength lit the way for so many. You’ve shown us what it means to chase dreams with passion and grace. India is proud to call you its own, and we’re blessed to witness your journey. Keep shining, keep inspiring,” wrote Manika Batra.

 

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After several postponements, the CAS finally delivered its verdict on Vinesh Phogat's appeal. Unfortunately for the Indian wrestler, the CAS dismissed her plea, upholding the decision of the United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) expressed deep disappointment and shock at the CAS's ruling. In an official statement, the IOA raised concerns about the decision of the Sole Arbitrator, who sided with the UWW and IOC.

 

“The marginal discrepancy of a 100 grams and the resultant consequences has profound impact, not only in terms of Vinesh's career but also raises serious questions about ambiguous rules and their interpretation," said the IOA.

 

“The IOA firmly believes that the total disqualification of an athlete for such a weight infraction on the second of two days warrants a deeper examination. Our legal representatives had duly brought this out in their submissions before the Sole Arbitrator.

 

"The matter involving Vinesh highlights the stringent and, arguably, inhumane regulations that fail to account for the physiological and psychological stresses athletes, particularly female athletes, undergo. It is a stark reminder of the need for more equitable and reasonable standards that prioritize athletes' well-being," it added.

 

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