'I Understand Your Pain The Best,': Japan's Gold medallist Rei Higuchi empathizes with Vinesh Phogat

Renowned Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat announced that she is quitting the sport. This choice came after she was disqualified from the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris in the women's 50 kg freestyle event's final. Her Olympic hopes were crushed when she went over the weight limit by 100g during the final weigh-in, even though she had made it to the final and was promised a medal. Vinesh used the internet platform "X" to talk about her decision to walk away from the sport on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Vinesh Phogat wrote: 

“Ma Kusti (Wrestling) won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage has been broken. I don't have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024,”

Her disqualification was a key turning point in her career. Vinesh achieved history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal round in the Paris Olympics. This was not the first time that she made the nation proud. She also made history at the Asian Games in 2018, becoming the first Indian female wrestler to win a gold medal. However, on August 7, 2024, she was disqualified for being overweight before her final match against American Sarah Hildebrandt, who eventually won the gold medal.

Japan's Gold Medallist wrestler Rei Higuchi shows support to Vinesh Phogat

After winning the gold medal in the 57kg freestyle category at the Paris Olympics on Friday, Japanese wrestler Rei Higuchi expressed sympathy with Indian athlete Vinesh Phogat.

Higuchi made an amazing recovery in Paris after missing the weigh-in by barely 50 grammes, therefore disqualified from the Tokyo Olympics qualifying process. In the last, he sealed a 4-2 point triumph against Spencer Richard Lee, his U.S. opponent.

Higuchi used social media following his victory to show his support for Vinesh Phogat, therefore urging her to rethink her mind about retiring.

 “I understand your pain the best. same 50g. Don’t worry about the voices around you. Life goes on. Rising from setbacks is the most beautiful thing. Take a good rest.”

Encouraging Vinesh to avoid distractions and fight over her setback, the Japanese wrestler offered encouragement and advice. Drawing on his own Olympic experience, he understood Vinesh's challenges. In the semifinal on his triumphant path to the gold, Higuchi defeated Aman Sehrawat of India. Vinesh was disqualified from Paris 2024 for somewhat exceeding weight restrictions, therefore ranking last and opening the path for Yusneylis Guzman Lopez to qualify. Appeals to award Vinesh the silver medal have been lodged to the CAS, with a hopeful view from the IOA on Vinesh's appeal outcome.