Veteran India off-spinner R Ashwin has expressed his sadness about wrestler Vinesh Phogat being disqualified from the Paris 2024 Olympics before her gold medal match. Vinesh was 100 grams overweight on the day of her weigh-in before the final. And, R Ashwin opined on how the entire journey of a sportsperson is built around the Olympics as well.

In a video on his YouTube channel, R Ashwin said: “It is a very sad thing. Four years, eight years. It is meditation. It is a ritual for Olympic athletes. They have been there for so many years. She would have brought a medal back. She would have brought a lot of medals to our country. She has faced a lot of difficulties. Now, she has retired. It is highly heartbreaking for Vinesh Phogat.”

However, heartbroken by the decision, Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling. Former cricketers like Harbhajan Singh and
Sachin Tendulkar also showed their support for Vinesh on X. However, R Ashwin congratulated the medalists from India’s shooting contingent. Manu Bhaker won two bronze medals while Sarabjot Singh and Swapnil Kusale won a bronze each as well.

“They have won multiple medals in shooting. Shooting has been a hub. I remember Abhinav Bindra starting it. Manu Bhaker came home with massive celebrations. Swapnil Kusale, Sarabjot Singh. They are all extraordinary. To get a medal, you need a little luck. No matter how hard you work, they have that luck. They have done well. India, as always, has put in a lot of effort,” R Ashwin concluded.