Wrestler Vinesh Phogat may join politics, may contest assembly elections against cousin: Sources
New Delhi: There is a discussion about female wrestler Vinesh Phogat all over the world at this time. She was disqualified for being just 100 grams overweight in the Paris Olympics. Now the news is coming that the veteran wrestler, who returned disappointed from Paris, is likely to contest the upcoming Haryana assembly elections. Sources close to Vinesh gave this information to news agency IANS on Tuesday.
Vinesh had earlier said that she would not enter active politics. But according to the new report, some political parties are trying their best to persuade her. Vinesh missed the chance to win the gold medal in the women’s freestyle 50 kg category at the Paris Olympics as she was disqualified from the final due to being 100 grams overweight. Vinesh was given a rousing welcome in her village Balali in Sonipat on Saturday. Congress MP Deepender Hooda and other members of his family garlanded her at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
However, it is not yet confirmed which party Vinesh will join. Sources close to the Phogat family told IANS, “Yes, why not? There is a possibility that we will see Vinesh Phogat vs Babita Phogat and Bajrang Punia vs Yogeshwar Dutt contest in the Haryana Assembly.” When asked about the future plans of the 2024 Olympic finalist wrestler, sources close to the Phogat family said, “As soon as Vinesh stepped out of the airport, she was given a rousing welcome by her fans, family and friends, who had gathered in large numbers despite the early morning hours. The overwhelming support and affection made the wrestling icon emotional. People celebrated outside the airport and their emotions were at their peak. Among the first to welcome Vinesh were Sakshi Malik, who retired from wrestling last year, and Bajrang Punia.” Vinesh had said on Saturday, “Our fight is not over and the fight will continue and I pray to God that truth prevails.” On Friday, Vinesh expressed her deep sorrow at missing out on the Olympic podium, linking her personal disappointment to the broader struggle for women’s rights in India, an issue she had championed in her protest against the former wrestling federation chief.
In a three-page letter posted on social media platform X on Friday night, Vinesh hinted at a possible return to the sport, leaving the door slightly open for her to return to the sport despite her earlier decision to retire after her disqualification at the Paris Olympics.
Despite the team’s efforts, Vinesh was unable to make the weight in time for the weigh-in, leading to her disqualification from the gold medal match. Her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for the joint silver medal was later rejected on Wednesday.
