'You have not lost, you have been defeated', what did Bajrang say on Vinesh's retirement, Sakshi said this in anger

Olympic bronze medalist wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia have expressed grief over Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics and her subsequent decision to retire. 29-year-old Vinesh was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight ahead of the 50kg gold medal match on Wednesday.

Reacting to Vinesh's retirement, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia posted on x, "Vinesh, you have not lost, you have been defeated." He further wrote, "For us, you will always be the winner, you are the daughter of India as well as the pride of India." After heartbreak on the sports field, Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling through an emotional post on social media on Thursday morning.

Vinesh wrote, "Maa, wrestling won, I lost. Please forgive me, your dreams, and my courage, everything is broken." It further read, "Now I have no more strength. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. I will remain indebted to all of you. Please forgive me."

Rio Olympics bronze medalist wrestler Sakshi also reacted to Vinesh's decision to retire. She encouraged Vinesh and saluted her spirit. Sakshi posted on Instagram, "Vinesh you did not lose, every daughter lost, for whom you fought and won. This is the defeat of the country India. The country is with you. Salute to your struggle and spirit as a player." Vinesh created history on Tuesday by reaching the Olympic final. Her comeback story after a disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics ended in heartbreak. She was found to be overweight before the final match of the Paris Olympics and was disqualified from the competition.

Vinesh was found to be 100 grams over the 50 kg limit and was thus eliminated from the competition. She was ranked last as per the rules of United World Wrestling. Vinesh Phogat had ensured at least a silver by reaching the final but had to be knocked out of the medal race due to Olympic rules.