“Don’t Need a Gold Medal to…”: Olympic Gold Medalist Abhinav Bindra Comforts Vinesh Phogat

Shortly after India’s significant setback at the Paris Olympics with the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the 50 kg women’s wrestling final, the grappler received consolation from Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra. Phogat was set to face Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States in the gold medal match. However, she was disqualified after being found slightly over the 50 kg weight limit. Bindra expressed his support in a post on X, writing, “Completely gutted. Sometimes you don’t need a gold medal to be a true champion to people.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reached out to Phogat, offering words of encouragement and support. He praised her as “a champion among champions” and a source of inspiration for all Indians. Modi expressed his deep sense of despair over the setback but acknowledged Phogat’s resilience and urged her to come back stronger.

The Prime Minister communicated with Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha, seeking detailed information about the situation and exploring potential options to address Phogat’s disqualification. Modi encouraged Usha to file a strong protest if it could benefit Phogat.

In an official statement, the Indian Olympic contingent expressed regret over Phogat’s disqualification, noting that despite their best efforts, she weighed in slightly over the limit. The statement requested respect for Phogat’s privacy and emphasized the focus on ongoing competitions. Phogat had advanced to the gold medal bout after defeating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals the previous night.