On Thursday, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced that wrestler Vinesh Phogat would be honored and celebrated as an Olympic medalist. The state government will provide her with all the rewards and facilities typically awarded to an Olympic silver medalist.
In a social media post on X, Saini expressed, “Our brave daughter of Haryana, Vinesh Phogat, performed brilliantly and entered the finals of the Olympics. Due to some reasons, she may not have been able to play the final of the Olympics but she is a champion for all of us.”
Saini added, “Our government has decided that Vinesh Phogat will be welcomed and felicitated like a medalist. All the respect, rewards and facilities that the Haryana government gives to the Olympic silver medalist will be gratefully given to Vinesh Phogat as well. We are proud of you Vinesh!”
This announcement follows Phogat’s disqualification from the 50 kg women’s wrestling event for exceeding the weight limit. She was set to face the United States’ Sarah Ann Hildebrandt in the gold medal match on August 7.
In response to her disqualification, Vinesh appealed for a joint silver medal. She was replaced in the final by Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, whom she had defeated in the semifinals. Lopez eventually lost to Hildebrandt in the championship match.
Vinesh made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout in her category on Tuesday. She was guaranteed at least a silver medal before her disqualification. A three-time Olympian, Vinesh has also won gold medals in both the Asian and Commonwealth Games.
