Vinesh Phogat visits Golden Temple, seeks strength and courage in prayer

PTC News Desk: Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who faced disqualification from the 50-kg final match at the Paris Games, visited the Golden Temple, or Harmandir Sahib, on Friday. The revered Sikh shrine was the backdrop for her prayers, where she sought strength and courage amidst her recent challenges.

Accompanied by her husband, Somvir Rathee, Phogat offered her respects while donning a saffron headscarf and a white salwar with green patterns. She expressed her gratitude to the media, sharing, “I am feeling a positive energy… I prayed to Waheguru for strength and courage.” Phogat also extended her wishes for the health of loved ones, the safety of the nation, and continued progress, seeking divine guidance for her path forward.

During her visit, Phogat was joined by representatives from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the governing body for Sikh religious affairs. She was honored by Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, who presented her with a replica of the Golden Temple, a gold-plated kirpan, and a collection of books. Giani Harpreet Singh praised Phogat for her contributions, stating, “She got gold for us.”

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Phogat and her family performed a ‘parikrama,’ or circumambulation, around the marble periphery of the temple before bowing before the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, considered a living guru.

Earlier, on August 6, Vinesh Phogat received a cash award of Rs 2.5 crore from Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar, recognising her achievements. Reflecting on her journey, she remarked, “If you want to be a winner like me, then you have to be mad like me for the sport.”

Phogat’s disqualification was due to exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams, and her appeal for a joint silver medal was denied by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). In response to her disqualification, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed support on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India’s pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today’s setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you.”

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