Wrestler Vinesh Phogat out of Asian Games 2023 due to knee injury

Digital desk: The top grappler from India, Vinesh Phogat, said on Tuesday that she would not be competing in the next Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Having received a waiver from the Asian Games trials, Vinesh announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she will have knee surgery on August 17 in Mumbai.

She stated, "I wanted to share a very sad piece of news," in her statement. I hurt my left knee while practicing a few days ago, on August 13, 2023. The has informed me that sadly, surgery is my sole recovery choice following the scans and examinations."

"I will be undergoing surgery on 17th August in Mumbai. It was my dream to retain my Asian Games Gold medal for India which I won in 2018 at Jakarta. But unfortunately, this injury has ruled out my participation now, have informed all concerned authorities immediately so that the Reserve player can be sent to the Asian Games," Vinesh added.

She also said that she is looking to return to the mat as soon as possible and begin her preparation for the Paris Olympics 2024. "I would like to request all the fans to continue supporting me so that I can make a strong comeback to the mat soon and prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Your support gives me a lot of strength," Vinesh wrote.

Vinesh withdrew from the Budapest Ranking Series 2023 earlier this month after informing the organisers and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) that she was unable to compete owing to "fever and food poisoning."

She will now be replaced in India's wrestling contingent by Antim Panghal, who was standing by for Vinesh. Vinesh and Bajrang were granted an exemption from the Asian Games, Hangzhou, trials last month by the ad hoc committee. The trials will start on September 23.

The Delhi High Court also denied the applications filed by wrestlers Antim Panghal and Sujeet Kalkal over the exemptions granted to both wrestlers by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) ad hoc for direct entry to the Asian Games in 2023.