Vinesh Phogat knee injury opens the door for Antim Panghal at Asian Games

Vinesh Phogat announced on social media that a left knee surgery, sustained in training, would not heal in time for her participation at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. The wrestler revealed she picked up the injury on August 13 and will undergo surgery on August 17 in Mumbai.

Phogat added she hopes to return in time for the preparations of the 2024 Paris Olympics. She has not competed at any tournament his year with her focus being the fight against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who she, and other wrestlers, have accused of sexual harassment and abuse.

Read | Vinesh Phogat withdraws from Asian Games due to knee injury, will undergo surgery

The two-time World Championship bronze medallist was given a free pass into the Asian Games team by WFI’s ad-hoc committee. The exemption afforded to World Championship medallists meant she and Bajrang Punia progressed to the Asian Games squad.

“A couple of days ago on 13th August 2023, I injured my left knee in training. After doing the scans and examinations, the doctor has said that unfortunately, surgery is the only option for me to recover,” said Phogat on social media.