Vinesh Phogat was India’s hope for an Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. India currently has a medal tally of 3, all from its shooting contingent. Many have been left disappointed by India’s overall performance at the games and hence, a lot of us were betting on Vinesh for bringing a medal.
Vinesh Phogat defeated World No.1 Yui Susaki of Japan and Ukraine’s Oksana and qualified for the Olympic finals. She wrote history by becoming the first female Indian athlete to reach an Olympic final. But at the last minute, she was disqualified from the 50kg wrestling category because of being 100gm overweight.
“After the semifinals last night, her weight was 52.7kg. She didn’t sleep even a minute, didn’t drink a sip of water, and didn’t have a morsel of food. She spent the entire night running and using the sauna. She made it to 50.1kg but didn’t have time to cut the last 100 grams. There was no leeway and no extra time,” a member of her camp revealed, quoted Sportstar.
However, Hindi TV anchors of News18 found this as an opportunity to troll Vinesh Phogat for her disqualification. One anchor, Shalini K Tiwari, compared Phogat to a student complaining about failing an exam despite their efforts to study the night before.
Have a look:
Shameful & Unacceptable ?
News 18 Anchor is trolling Vinesh Phogat for disqualification
Have you no shame?
How dare you disrespect a national hero who has fought for our country’s pride?
Show some respect or get out of the journalism business! pic.twitter.com/v1kDALSsYG
— Siddharth (@SidKeVichaar) August 7, 2024
This angered several people online who called out the anchor for disrespecting an athlete who has won several laurels for the country. They demanded strict action to be taken against the journalist for her shameful remarks. Have a look:
News18 Anchor @ShaliniKTiwari deserved to be fired for her shameful statements against Vinesh Phogat !https://t.co/UzhtrVHSS4
— Akash Tomar IPS ?? (@akashtomarips) August 7, 2024
Why just the anchor? The person who runs the network- Santosh Menon- who use to head the quality team of the Economic Times to ensure that all stories met international standards of journalism- is equally responsible. Santosh must explain why he endorses such journalism now. https://t.co/asLGrSrfYz
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) August 7, 2024
.@ShaliniKTiwari, seriously?
As a News 18 anchor, you’re trolling Vinesh Phogat for a disqualification?
She’s a national hero who’s fought for our country. Show some respect or get out of journalism! https://t.co/K5omYBZnKn
— Jitender Singh (@jitenderkhalsa) August 7, 2024
Absolutely win or loose, where is the respect. Sitting in an AC studio she can blabber any shit
— PM (@Prabinmen) August 7, 2024
Shameful & Unacceptable ?
— Mohd Abdul Sattar (@SattarFarooqui) August 7, 2024
I wish the Indian broadcasting agency takes strict action and fines them heavily
— sulagna chatterjee (@sulag_chat) August 7, 2024
@News18India we want that anchor’s resignation. Shame on y’all… This is an anti-national comment. Y’all do not represent our country, our players do.
— Yohan Harold (@Yohanharold99) August 7, 2024
Please, if you can’t say encouraging stuffs, leave journalism. At this rate, Vinesh Phogat needs more support than discouragement. And if news channels are only like this… ??♀️ https://t.co/ufHUY66CNT
— Yan (@ginspasta) August 7, 2024
Some news channels are mocking #Phogat_Vinesh for getting disqualified at #Paris2024Olympic .
This is the reason why some says we have two India!
Its heart breaking and shamefull act #IndiaAtOlympics #Paris2024
pic.twitter.com/O1tv8lRQLQ— Mannan (@mannan_pathan) August 7, 2024
Indian news channels having a field day with the vinesh phogat news. They’re gonna milk it in every way possible I fucking hate this country sometimes we don’t deserve shit
— BHAVIN KANUNGO (@BhavinK2018) August 7, 2024
To completely trivialize and disrespect Vinesh Phogat’s hard work, dedication, and resilience to go against all odds and perform that well at the Olympics is nothing but deplorable.