Outcome of one trial cannot diminish her contributions: Bajrang on Vinesh

New Delhi, May 30 (PTI) Olympic medallist wrestler Bajrang Punia on Saturday urged Vinesh Phogat not to lose heart but keep up her struggle against authorities after her return to competitive wrestling ended in heartbreak during the Asian Games selection trials here.

Vinesh lost 4-6 against Meenakshi Goyat in the 53kg semifinals to end her hopes of making it to the Asian Games team.

“Vinesh Phogat has enhanced the honor of the tricolor by fighting for the country for years. The outcome of one trial cannot diminish her contributions,” Punia wrote on ‘X’.

“Vinesh, keep up the struggle. A champion doesn’t lose from defeat, but from conceding defeat,” said the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist who had led a prolonged protest against the then WFI president

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually harassing some women wrestlers.

He also made an oblique criticism of the officials without taking any names.

“Whatever is happening in Indian wrestling today, the entire country is watching and understanding it as well. Fairness, respect, and transparency towards athletes is the responsibility of every sports institution.” Back on the mat for the first time since her devastating disqualification from the Olympic final in 2024, Vinesh battled through controversy, crowd-fuelled drama and a gruelling quarterfinal against Nishu Kumari before her comeback charge finally ran out of steam against Asian Championship silver medallist Meenakshi, bringing an emotional day to an abrupt end.

“I do not feel I have failed. I was fighting a whole system. We had to fight for every point. I was not given a fair deal. I do not grudge the athletes who fought with me. They also had dreamt of fighting against me. I will come back,” Vinesh said before leaving the venue.

Minutes after suffering defeat, Vinesh launched a scathing attack on the wrestling administration, alleging discrimination, mental harassment and attempts to block her return to competitive wrestling despite court orders in her favour.

“They wanted to stop me from returning to the mat, but I am standing here again. I am proud of what I have achieved in these 10 months.

“I know the system will continue to create challenges for me, but I have hope that through hard work I can leave the system behind and move forward,” she added, refusing to view the semifinal defeat as a setback. PTI PDS PDS TAP