NEW DELHI: PR Sreejesh, a renowned Indian hockey player, praised Vinesh Phogat's exceptional fortitude and poise in the midst of challenging circumstances.
During their meeting on Saturday, Sreejesh noted that the wrestler exhibited extraordinary bravery and was "laughing" despite the difficulties she faced.
Phogat, 29, was excluded from participating in the women's 50kg freestyle final at the Paris Olympics due to weighing 100 grams above the stipulated limit during the morning weigh-in.
Following this setback, she submitted an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), asserting her claim to a shared silver medal.
The verdict on Phogat's appeal is currently pending.
"She was laughing when I met her at the village, but I know that she was hiding that feeling with that smile. It's quite hard for any sportsperson," said Sreejesh, as quoted by PTI, during the hockey team's felicitation at the India House for retaining the Tokyo Olympics bronze medal.
"In spite of everything that happened to her, the way she fought back and showed sportsmanship is a big thing -- the way she came back, fought back, and reached the final. It was shocking news for all of us. It was terrible news.
"We are together, and I will pray for her positive result so that we get another silver."
The ad-hoc division of the CAS will need additional time to deliberate on Vinesh's appeal and will announce its decision on August 13.
"It's a mental trauma, but I hope she will manage it. She is an example for everybody in our country, not just in wrestling but in any sport. This is what we want," Sreejesh said.
"Win or lose, you are a star. You have done your job to showcase to the world what calibre you have, what culture you come from, and how tough you are. She showed that. She may or may not have won a medal, but she has won the hearts of 1.4 billion Indians.
"It's the hard work of an athlete's entire life to win a medal for their country. It's a tough situation, but I believe that she's a fighter," added Sreejesh.
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