Despite the recent setback in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), where Vinesh Phogat's appeal was unexpectedly dismissed, the Indian sports community has rallied behind her. Though the decision left the nation disheartened, athletes and fans alike are standing strong with Vinesh, celebrating her as a true champion.The CAS was supposed to announce the verdict on August 16, but in a surprising move, it dismissed her petition on the night of August 14 with a simple one-line order, offering no explanations. This sudden decision shocked Indian sports fans, but the support for Vinesh only grew stronger.
Indian athletes like hockey legends Sreejesh, Germanpreet, Amit Rohidas, wrestler Bajrang Punia, former boxer Vijender Singh, and national wrestling coach Vijay Dahiya have all voiced their support for Vinesh.
Bajrang Punia expressed his solidarity on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "They may have snatched the medal you deserved, but today you shine like the Kohinoor diamond before the world." Germanpreet added, "This is heartbreaking. We can understand how painful it must be for a top athlete like you. But to us, you are always a champion." Rohidas emphasized that the entire nation is behind her, while Dahiya remarked on the injustice of the situation, stating, "We expected a favorable verdict, but unfortunately, CAS dismissed Vinesh's petition. If she had competed, she would have won gold or at least a silver. This is a grave injustice."
Former boxer Vijender Singh also expressed his disappointment but affirmed his unwavering support, saying, "The verdict is disheartening, but we stand by Vinesh. She will always have our support."
In response to the CAS verdict, Vinesh Phogat shared an emotional post on Instagram, which quickly went viral. She posted a photo of herself lying on the mat in tears after her bout at the Paris Olympics, accompanied by the song "Rabba Ve" by popular Punjabi singer B Praak. The post seemed to reflect her sorrow over missing out on an Olympic medal, symbolizing her tough journey.
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