"Vinesh Phogat is a real fighter, she deserves a medal": Sreejesh

Former Indian mens hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh feels that Vinesh Phogat deserves a medal after reaching the finals of the womens 50kg wrestling at the Paris Olympics 2024Phogat was disqualified from the competition after being overweight by 100 grams PR Sreejesh who won his second bronze medal at the Games stated that he could not even imagine himself in Vinesh Phogats placeShe scripted history at the Paris Olympics 2024 by becoming the first womens wrestler to seal the Olympics final berth She defeated World No 1 Yui Susaki of Japan but was disqualified for being overweight Following the matter Vinesh raised an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS to award her at least a joint silver medal along with Cubas Yusneylis Guzman Lopez The Indian wrestler handed over the Cuban a defeat in the semifinal but was replaced following the disqualificationThe courts decision has been delayed till August 16There are two views one being an athlete she deserves a medal getting into the final they snatched it from her silver for sure She was strong If I was in her situation I dont what I would have done Sreejesh said at an interaction with PTI editors at its headquarters here on TuesdayAlso RaedSri Lanka Cricket rope in Bell as batting coach ahead of Test series vs EnglandThe next day before our bronze medal match I met her and she said Bhai good luck play well I felt like she was hiding her pain with that smile She is a real fighter Sreejesh 36 who won backtoback Olympic bronze medals in his glorious 18yearold career however felt Vineshs case should be a lesson for all Indian athletesThe second part is just different because you have Olympic rules and the Indian athletes know what is happening there and they should be ready for that They shouldnt give any chance to the federation to the organising committee to the International Olympic Committee IOCSo it should be a lesson for everyone When you are prepared for that you have to be strict with rules and regulations he said He cited the case of Amit Rohidas who was banned for lifting the stick during the quarterfinal against Great Britain where India played with 10 men for 42 minutesAmit Rohidas in the quarterfinal is a case The rule states that you cant raise your stick to the backward direction you cant lift it that way because intentionally you are hitting someone and its a red card and what happened to us we played the semifinal with 15 players and we sufferedSo the rules are made to make the game beautiful controlled The CAS will deliver its highly anticipated verdict on Vinesh Phogats appeal against her disqualification from the Paris Olympics later on Tuesday nightI am keeping my fingers crossed Being an athlete I just wish well for her The way she worked hard we know what she had been through last one year and from there she is coming back qualifying for the Olympics final that is the answer for all I really felt bad for her its a tough situation Sreejesh saidWith PTI Inputs