In a surprising turn of events, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has announced her return to the sport, reversing her retirement decision made in the wake of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The celebrated athlete, who had previously expressed her heartbreak and disillusionment after being disqualified from the Paris Games, now sets her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, fueled by a renewed sense of purpose.

Phogat's retirement in August 2024 came after a devastating disqualification from the Paris Olympics. She was deemed 100 grams overweight just before her gold medal match in the 50kg freestyle category. This heartbreaking end to her Olympic campaign prompted her to announce her departure from wrestling, stating that she had lost her battle with the sport.

However, after nearly 18 months away from the mat, Phogat has had a change of heart. In a recent post on social media platform X, she declared her comeback, explaining that the discipline and fight of wrestling were ingrained in her system. "People kept asking if Paris was the end. For a long time, I didn't have the answer," Phogat wrote. "It was only buried under exhaustion and noise. The discipline, the routine, the fight... It's in my system. No matter how far I walked away, a part of me stayed on the mat".

This time around, Phogat has an extra source of motivation: her son. She mentioned that her son is joining her team and is her biggest motivation and little cheerleader on the road to the LA Olympics.

Vinesh Phogat has been a prominent figure in Indian wrestling for over two decades. She is the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final. She has won multiple medals at prestigious events, including two bronze medals in World Championships, a gold and a bronze at the Asian Games in 2018 and 2014 respectively, and three Commonwealth Games gold medals.

Phogat's journey has not been without its challenges. In 2023, she was a part of protests against the then-chief of Indian wrestling, who was accused of sexual harassment. Her resilience and determination to fight for what she believes in have made her an icon in Indian sports.

Now, as she embarks on this new chapter, Phogat aims to add an Olympic medal to her impressive list of achievements. Her comeback has generated excitement among fans and the wrestling community, who eagerly await her return to the mat. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, Vinesh Phogat is ready to give it another shot at Olympic glory.