Tokyo Olympics: Vinesh Phogat “Temporarily” Suspended For Indiscipline By Wrestling Federation Of India, Notice Issued To Sonam Malik For Misconduct

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Tuesday temporarily suspended star grappler Vinesh Phogat for indiscipline during her forgettable Tokyo Olympics campaign and also issued notice to young Sonam Malik for misconduct. It has been learnt that Vinesh, who crashed out of the Tokyo Games in the quarterfinals after a crushing defeat by ‘fall’, has been given time till August 16 to reply to the notice that mentioned indiscipline on three counts. Vinesh, who had travelled to Tokyo from Hungary where she had trained with coach Woller Akos, had refused to stay at the Games Village and train with the other Indian team members. She also did not wear the name of the official sponsors of the Indian contingent, Shiv Naresh, and chose to wear a Nike singlet during her bouts.

The officials who were in Tokyo told PTI that Vinesh had created ruckus when she was allotted a room near those of her Indian team-mates — Sonam, Anshu Malik and Seema Bisla — arguing that she might contract coronavirus since these wrestlers travelled to Tokyo from India.

Vinesh had entered the Games as a top medal contender but ended up suffering defeat by fall against Belarus’ Vanesa Kaladzinskaya.

The 19-year old Sonam has been given a notice for misconduct. Sonam also returned without a medal from her debut Olympics.