On Wednesday morning, while at the breakfast table in the Athletes’ Village, Neeraj Chopra learned about Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification, which occurred just a day before his final event. Vinesh Phogat, who had secured a confirmed medal for India in the 50kg women’s division, was disqualified after being found to be around 100 grams over the weight limit, placing her last after she had fought for a gold medal.
Neeraj Chopra, who earned India’s best performance so far at the Paris Games with his silver medal, expressed his deep sorrow for Vinesh Phogat, although he had not yet spoken to her.
Vinesh had defeated Japan’s Yui Susaki in her opening match on Tuesday morning, just before Chopra took the field for his qualification at Stade de France. When Neeraj heard about Vinesh’s victory, he was thrilled, but his joy turned to despair the following day.
“Whatever she has done here, woh ek misaal hai. To beat Yui Susaki is in itself such a big thing. And after that, whatever she has been through, I don’t understand the rules of wrestling that well. But, she was on her way confidently to gold. But then, this (disqualification) happened. I felt really, really sad,” Neeraj Chopra said.
Neeraj, a two-time Olympic medallist, highlighted the inspiration in Vinesh Phogat’s journey to her third Olympics, especially considering the physical challenges she faced throughout her career.
“Jo Vineshji ki journey rahi hai, everyone knows how tough it has been. In 2016 (Rio Olympics), to overcome such a dangerous injury, and then in 2020 to have more injuries. She has been through so many personal setbacks,” Neeraj Chopra said.
He further added, “And for her to come back from that, recover from it, get herself to this position and be mentally strong from all that…it was going so well. Phir pata nahi, bhagwan ko kuch aur hi manzoor tha (maybe God wished something else for her). But we know that whatever she has done, it is great.”
