‘I will come back soon’: Vinesh vows to return stronger after Asian Games trials loss
"I have not failed. I was fighting a whole system, I was on one side and everyone else on the other," Vinesh told the media signalling at her stand-off with the Wrestling Federation of India.
Vinesh Phogat‘s comeback to the wrestling mat ended in heartbreak as Asian Championships silver medallist Meenakshi Goyat defeated her in the semi-final of the Asian Games trials on Saturday at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. “In India, any athlete wins medals not with the system but despite the system,” Vinesh said to the media after her loss, signalling her ongoing stand-off with the Wrestling Federation of India. “I don’t mind losing but when the whole system is against you and still you fight, it is a win. I am grateful that I was able to return to the mat after almost two years,” she added further.
However, she didn’t bow out without a declaration of making a comeback. “I will come back soon. I have not failed. I was fighting a whole system, I was on one side and everyone else on the other,” said Vinesh.
Vinesh, who returned to the mat after two years, won two bouts but failed to make it past Meenakshi. Playing in the 53 kg category, Vinesh started with a 7-1 win over Jyoti but suffered a scare against Nishu in the next round. After she defeated Nishu in a highly charged bout which saw multiple stoppages and a scuffle at the end, Vinesh faced Meenakshi in the semis. Meenakshi played an aggressive game against Vinesh and attacked from the start and despite a late surge from Vinesh in the second half, won 6-4.
But on Saturday, the conversation was not about wins or losses but about a system that cares more about whataboutery than the sport. It started at 7 am in the morning with a dramatic weigh in and after an hour of arguments and accusations, WFI president Sanjay Singh intervened and allowed her to participate in the 53 kg category.
“WFI was actively trying to sabotage my return to the mat but it is sad that the government, SAI, or IOA is not taking a stand,” said Vinesh.
It was an emotional return for Vinesh who put her foot on a mat competitively for the first time after her Paris Olympics heartbreak where she failed to make weight by 100 grams after reaching the 50kg category final.
“I am happy that I got to fight. It’s been almost two years and I have become a mother also. It feels great to fight for my son. I am thankful to the High Court and Supreme Court for ruling in my favour and hopefully this will smoothen the process of returning to the mat for more women wrestlers,” said Vinesh.
Vinesh said that these trials have motivated her and she will continue her comeback trail. “I can see my body is moving well. I have the confidence that I can beat these young girls and do much better in the upcoming events.”
She missed the chance to play at the National ranking series at Gonda earlier this month and it hurt her performance further. “I wish I had got the chance to play in Gonda, then I would have known my body better. I know the system is against me but if I work hard, I’ll beat the system,” concluded Vinesh. She didn’t hint what her next competition will be but mentioned that she is here for the next two years till the LA Olympics. “I am here for the next two years. I have returned to the mat just for my son and to participate in the LA Olympics,” said Vinesh.
Vinesh Phogat‘s comeback to the wrestling mat ended in heartbreak as Asian Championships silver medallist Meenakshi Goyat defeated her in the semi-final of the Asian Games trials on Saturday at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. “In India, any athlete wins medals not with the system but despite the system,” Vinesh said to the media after her loss, signalling her ongoing stand-off with the Wrestling Federation of India. “I don’t mind losing but when the whole system is against you and still you fight, it is a win. I am grateful that I was able to return to the mat after almost two years,” she added further.
However, she didn’t bow out without a declaration of making a comeback. “I will come back soon. I have not failed. I was fighting a whole system, I was on one side and everyone else on the other,” said Vinesh.
Vinesh, who returned to the mat after two years, won two bouts but failed to make it past Meenakshi. Playing in the 53 kg category, Vinesh started with a 7-1 win over Jyoti but suffered a scare against Nishu in the next round. After she defeated Nishu in a highly charged bout which saw multiple stoppages and a scuffle at the end, Vinesh faced Meenakshi in the semis. Meenakshi played an aggressive game against Vinesh and attacked from the start and despite a late surge from Vinesh in the second half, won 6-4.
But on Saturday, the conversation was not about wins or losses but about a system that cares more about whataboutery than the sport. It started at 7 am in the morning with a dramatic weigh in and after an hour of arguments and accusations, WFI president Sanjay Singh intervened and allowed her to participate in the 53 kg category.
“WFI was actively trying to sabotage my return to the mat but it is sad that the government, SAI, or IOA is not taking a stand,” said Vinesh.
It was an emotional return for Vinesh who put her foot on a mat competitively for the first time after her Paris Olympics heartbreak where she failed to make weight by 100 grams after reaching the 50kg category final.
“I am happy that I got to fight. It’s been almost two years and I have become a mother also. It feels great to fight for my son. I am thankful to the High Court and Supreme Court for ruling in my favour and hopefully this will smoothen the process of returning to the mat for more women wrestlers,” said Vinesh.
Vinesh said that these trials have motivated her and she will continue her comeback trail. “I can see my body is moving well. I have the confidence that I can beat these young girls and do much better in the upcoming events.”
She missed the chance to play at the National ranking series at Gonda earlier this month and it hurt her performance further. “I wish I had got the chance to play in Gonda, then I would have known my body better. I know the system is against me but if I work hard, I’ll beat the system,” concluded Vinesh. She didn’t hint what her next competition will be but mentioned that she is here for the next two years till the LA Olympics. “I am here for the next two years. I have returned to the mat just for my son and to participate in the LA Olympics,” said Vinesh.
