Vinesh Phogat lashes out at critics

NEW DELHI: 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.

Vinesh, though, made a strong comeback 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.”

Vinesh questioned the unrelenting scrutiny on athletes.