'He cried…': Vinesh Phogat accused of not thanking 'coach' Mahavir Phogat by cousin Babita Phogat

Former Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has once again been accused of not mentioning his uncle Mahavir Phogat's name in their thank you letter after being disqualified from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Vinesh qualified for the 50kg final but was disqualified before the fight for being 100g overweight. After the disqualification, Vinesh thanked her coaches, physiotherapists and other support staff but the name of her first coach Mahavir Phogat was missing. During a conversation on Top Angle With Sushant Sinha, Babita Phogat, daughter of Mahavir Phogat and former Indian wrestler, spoke about how Mahavir fought to preserve Vinesh's career and accused her cousin of not thanking him.

“I have only seen my father cry three times in my life. Firstly, when my sisters and I got married. Secondly, when my uncle died and thirdly, when Vinesh was banned from the Olympics,” said Babita.

“When my uncle died, Vinesh and her two siblings suddenly stopped wrestling. My father went to their house and fought with their mother to get them to wrestle again. Imagine how much he worked to make Vinesh. But she thanked everyone except… that guru,” the former Indian wrestler remarked.

Earlier, the National Anti-Doping Authority (NADA) had served a notice to retired wrestler Vinesh Phogat for missing whereabouts information after sending a team to collect a urine sample from the wrestler, who was competing at the Paris Olympics Missed out on a medal because she was disqualified for being 100g overweight on the morning of the final.

The notice stated that a dope control officer was sent to Vinesh's residence in Sonipat in Haryana on September 9 at the time specified by her and that she would be available there. But Vinesh, who is contesting the Haryana Assembly elections, was unavailable at her residence. According to NADA, this represents a violation of the reporting obligation.

Vinesh, who created history for India by becoming the first wrestler to qualify for the final of the women's 50kg category in Paris, has been asked to respond to the notice within 14 days.

“A formal notice is hereby sent to you to inform you of the apparent non-compliance with the reporting requirements of the ADR and to invite you to provide any comments before we come to a final decision on this matter. Please read this letter carefully as it could have serious consequences for you,” said the NADA notice, a copy of which is available with IANS.

(With IANS inputs)