We are athletes and not robots: Vinesh Phogat

Wrestler Phogat lashes out at criticism of shaky start before bronze finish at the World Championship in Belgrade

Firing a salvo at the “so called fans and experts” on social media, star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat denounced the negative criticism hurled at her during the World Championship, saying the “athletes are not robots.” Vinesh also exhorted fellow athletes to keep working hard so that this uncalled for criticism culture ends.

On a road to redemption, Vinesh became the first Indian woman wrestler to win two World Championship medals when she grabbed a 53kg bronze in Belgrade last week. However, her manner of defeat against Mongolia’s Khulan Batkhuyag (0-7) in the Qualification round, evoked sharp criticism on social media platforms. 

Also Read: Wrestling World C'ships: Vinesh Phogat makes it to the repechage round

Tough repechage route

Vinesh, though, made a strong come back as she won her two repechage rounds and then the bronze play-off without conceding a single point. The 28-year-old is not someone who holds back and she came out with a long statement that gave a sense of how hurt she was by the criticism.

“Athletes are humans and while being an athlete is a huge part of who we are, it doesn’t mean we work like robots every time a tournament is announced. Not sure if this culture is in every country or this is just India where we have so many experts sitting at home,” Vinesh wrote in her post. “Every individual, professional or not, has chased hardships, struggles and challenges through their journey. 

“Difference is the world does not comment and criticise them, thinking they are experts on those professionals and their careers. But we have many who consider themselves as experts on sports who think they know the efforts, the hardships and what goes into training an athlete.” Vinesh questioned the unrelenting scrutiny on athletes. “Why are we as athletes answerable to them about every detail when all athletes get back is comments on how they should train, what they should do instead of support and encouragement when times are tough.

Also Read: World Wrestling championships: Vinesh Phogat loses 0-7 in qualifiers

Discouraging comments

“It is very discouraging when people assume they can comment on when athletes should stop or end their career, when they should play and not play. “A win always does not mean that an athlete has done anything extra extraordinary and a loss does not mean that the athlete has not tried during that game. Winning and losing is a part of every athlete’s journey and the athletes try hard each time.”

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