New Delhi: Vinesh Phogat was knocked out of the Asian Games selection trials here on Saturday after losing to Meenakshi Goyat 4-6 in a tense semifinal bout of the women’s 53kg event.
The loss will dash Vinesh’s hopes of a comeback and her chances of securing a berth at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan later this year.
Earlier, Vinesh had summoned her years of experience to prevail in a fiercely fought bout against a super-aggressive Nishu to reach the semifinals.
However, she didn’t bow without a declaration of making a comeback. “I will come back soon,” Vinesh said immediately after her loss pointing her finger at the wrestling mat.
“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, 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, she won 6-4.
“I had to fight for every point. I was not given a fair deal,” said Vinesh, claiming that multiple decisions went against her. “During the bout against Nishu, when I could have executed a pinfall, the referee stopped the bout. This is not the first time I have lost, but fighting against everyone while also doing wrestling is tough. But I accept this defeat and will come back stronger,” said Vinesh.
The drama started in morning when Vinesh was allowed to compete in the women’s 53kg category after the WFI reversed its earlier stand of restricting her participation to the 50kg division.
When she reached IG Stadium for weight in early in the morning, Vinesh was informed that she would be permitted to compete only in 50kg category. An hour of arguments and accusations followed before WFI president Sanjay Singh intervened and allowed her to participate in the 53 kg category.
It was an emotional return for Vinesh, who put her feet for the first time after the Paris Olympics heartbreak, where she failed to make weight after reaching the 50kg category final.
“I am happy that I got to fight. It’s been almost two years, and I have also become a mother. It feels great to fight for my son. I am thankful to the High Court and the Supreme Court for ruling in my favour, and hopefully this will smooth the process of returning to 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 rued the missed chance to play at the National ranking series at Gonda earlier this month. “I wish I had gotten 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 next two years. I have returned to the mat just for my son and to participate in the LA Olympics,” said Vinesh.
