NEW DELHI: Rajasthan wrestler Ritika Phogat, cousin of Commonwealth Games gold medalists Geeta and Babita Phogat, allegedly killed herself after finishing second in the 53kg category of the state sub-junior competition, an official of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) said.
She died on Monday. The competition was held at a local stadium in Bharatpur, Rajasthan from March 12 to 14. Ritika, 17, was one of of four competitors and she lost the gold medal round.
“She too wanted to win a medal at the international level like her cousins but went into depression after losing the gold medal bout in the state meet,” said the official.
After post-mortem examination, the body was handed over to her parents and the last rites were performed in the family’s village near Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan.
Ritika had been training at the academy run by her uncle and Dronacharya Awardee Mahavir Phogat, father of Geeta, Babita and mixed martial artist Ritu Phogat, near Charkhi Dadri in Haryana for the past five years.
Ritika was the daughter of Mahavir’s brother-in-law, thus making her a maternal first cousin to Geeta, Babita and Ritu.
“Rest in Peace choti behen Ritika. I still can’t believe what just happened with you. Will miss you forever Broken heart… Om Shanti,” tweeted Ritu on Monday.
“I have been getting messages all morning today. I am very sad and disturbed about what happened in my family. I urge people to not spread and believe in any rumours and act responsibly,” she said in another tweet. “These are tough times for me and my family and I urge you all to respect our privacy.”
Ritu won gold at the 2016 Commonwealth Wrestling Championship before embarking on a career in mixed martial artist where she holds a 4-0 record in the ONE Championship.
Geeta and Babita’s story was the subject of the 2016 Bollywood film Dangal produced by Aamir Khan, who also starred in the movie as Mahavir.