Vinesh's husband stays mum on wrestler's retirement, alleges 'no support' from WFI

 

Vinesh Phogat's husband Somvir Rathee didn't comment on the possibility of her taking a U-turn on her retirement decision and said that there's no support from WFI.

Vinesh Phogat’s husband Somvir Rathee refrained herself from commenting on the wrestler’s sudden retirement after her disqualification from the finals of women’s 50kg wrestling at Paris Olympics. Notably, Vinesh was found 100 grams heavier than the permissible limit of 50kg on the morning of her final game against USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt.

Hence, the wrestler was unfortunately disqualified from the summit clash and was pushed to the last spot in the event for failing at weigh in. Gutted with the events, Phogat announced her sudden retirement from the game. Being asked whether there’s any possibility of the wrestler reversing her decision, Rathee said he won’t be able to say much on that and mentioned lack of support from the WFI (Wrestling Federation of India)

‘It’s the love showered by the nation. Really happy to see this, the kind of love people are showering on Vinesh. Seeing her wrestling mates, her emotions flew out. I’m not aware of the celebrations planned for her since we just arrived in India. I won’t be able to say much right now, it’s a tough time for us. Even the federation is not with us. If no one stands with the player then how can one perform,” Somveer told India Today. 

Earlier, the WFI chief Sanjay Singh blamed the wrestlers’ protest against the former WFI head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh as the major reason behind low medal count from the sport at Olympics. Singh had also blamed Phogat for failing to maintain her weight under the limit of the competition despite being provided with every facility and foreign coach.

Delhi High Court orders restoration of IOA's ad-hoc committee to take charge of WFI

Recently, the Delhi High Court ordered the restoration of the mandate of IOA's (Indian OIympic Association) ad-hoc committee to manage the affairs of the WFI in response to a plea by wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and her husband Satyawart Kadian.

Earlier, the IOA had dissolved the ad-hoc committee after the United World Wrestling lifted its ban from the WFI. The Indian wrestling body will once again challenge the Delhi High court order saying hat saying the "interference" could jeopardize the participation of Indian wrestlers at the upcoming World Championships.

Neeraj Chopra confirms he will play at the Lausanne Diamond League

 

India's legendary javelin-thrower Neeraj Chopra, who won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, said that he was fully confident of upstaging Pakistan's eventual gold medallist Arshad Nadeem's giant throw in the final but his less-than-100% physical condition didn't allow that. However, he has confirmed that he will be competing at the Lausanne Diamond League later this month.

Chopra is currently training in Magglingen, Switzerland, with his coach Klaus Bartonietz and physio Ishaan Marwaha.

In the qualifying round at the Paris Games, Chopra showcased his exceptional skills with a season-best throw of 89.34m and during the final he managed to improve it to 89.45m, but it didn't prove enough to beat Nadeem, who set a new Olympic record on his second attempt, marking a distance of 92.97m to create history for Pakistan.

    "Nadeem is a very hardworking player and (I have) competed against him always full of positivity. That day too I was quite sure that we would have a good fight," said Chopra during a video interaction with the media, organised by JSW.

"After he made an Olympic record on his second attempt, it created pressure on everyone; but since I had competed with him previously, I was quite sure that I will break his record after my second attempt, which was close to 90m (89.54m), but somehow my body didn't allow."

Chopra's quest for gold in Paris began with a foul on his first attempt. His rival, Nadeem, also failed to register a valid throw on his initial try.

Throughout the competition, Chopra struggled to find his rhythm, with only one legal throw out of six attempts. Despite not performing at his best, the Indian star still managed to secure a place in the history books.

"It is never easy to perform in the Olympics, especially when you are defending your medal...From there (second throw), I knew that I can breach the Olympic record but somehow I was not able to do as my body didn't allow. I am happy that I won a silver medal for the country; but I will work on the things that are needed to recover well," added Chopra.

When asked which event Chopra is targeting next, he said, "I have finally decided to participate in the Lausanne Diamond League, which begins August 22."

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