Rio de Janeiro: Woman grappler Vinesh Phogat, who was India’s medal hope in Rio 2016, was stretchered off the mat after suffering a knee dislocation in her 48kg quarterfinal bout here on Wednesday.
Saddened by the unfortunate exit, Vinesh could not hold back her anguish as she said:
If I tel u that I m ok it wud b lying to myself n all of u. Right nw I m hurt; both physically and mentally. I ll recover soon. Thank u allðŸ™
— Vinesh Phogat (@phogat_vinesh) August 17, 2016
While the Indian wrestler has to wait for at least four more years to help India win an Olympic medal, she was comforted by Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Swaraj took to Twitter to comfort Vinesh:
Vinesh - You are our daughter. @indiainbrazil is your family. Ask for anything you require. https://t.co/I3Y4axejq6
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 18, 2016
Women grapplers -- Vinesh and Sakshi Malik, who eventually clinched India’s first medal in Rio Olympics by winning bronze -- crossed the first hurdle by registering contrasting victories in their respective weight divisions.
It was an easy outing for Vinesh in 48kg category as she thrashed Emilia Alina Vuc of Romania 11-0 by technical superiority to enter the quarterfinals.
Unfortunately Vinesh's progress was halted when she suffered a knee dislocation in her quarterfinal fight against Chinese rival Sun Yanan and the bout had to be stopped.
A visibly hurt Vinesh, who winced in pain when her Chinese rival got a leg hold and twisted her, was taken away in a stretcher for medical attention.
"We are all awaiting the MRI report but she cannot fight again," said Indian contingent's chef de mission, Rakesh Gupta.
