Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Withdraws from Asian Games 2023 Due to Injury

Renowned Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has withdrawn from the Asian Games 2023 due to a knee injury which she sustained on August 13. 

Talking to X on Tuesday, she announced her decision and revealed that surgery is scheduled for August 17 in Mumbai. The injury has shattered Vinesh's hopes of defending her Asian Games gold medal, won in 2018 at Jakarta. Antim Panghal, who emerged victorious in the 53kg trials, will take her place in India's Asian Games squad.

Vinesh was devastated to learn that she will be unable to defend her title at the upcoming Hangzhou event, which begins on September 23. She thanked her supporters for their encouragement and promised to return stronger than ever in time for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

As a result of his injury, Vinesh will also miss the trials for the World Championships, which will be held on August 25 and 26 in Patiala. Beforehand, the wrestling fraternity was divided over the decision to exempt Vinesh and his teammate Bajrang Punia from the Asian Games trials. Panghal and Sujit Kalkal, the trial winners in their respective weight classes, took this matter to court.

The High Court rejected their plea, and a committee constituted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ultimately decided not to exempt any wrestlers from the qualifying rounds for the World Championships. The World Championships, a major step towards making it to the Olympics, will kick off on September 16.

Because of her injury, Vinesh will miss the Asian Games and the World Championships, which would hinder her training for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Despite the setback, the wrestler is focused on getting back on the mat stronger and more motivated than ever.

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