Paris, Aug 7: They were together on Delhi streets for months protesting for the wrestlers' interests.
They ran from pillar to post fighting against the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's arbitrary ways and his alleged misbehaviour with female wrestlers.
But with time, Tokyo Olympic medal-winning wrestler Bajrang Punia and Paris Olympics participant Vinesh Phogat are now facing different challenges in life.
Bajrang did not qualify for the Paris Olympics and Vinesh Phogat competed in Paris Games 2024. But prior to her Gold-medal fight in the 50-kg women's freestyle fight, Vinesh was declared disqualified for 100 grams more weight than the desired weight.
While many have expressed sympathy with Vinesh including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Olympics Gold medal winning shooter Abhinav Bindra, wrestler Bajrang Punia called her a great champion.
He stated that the mistreatment towards Vinesh back-home prior to the Paris Games 2024, isn't forgotten still.
Bajrang had earlier tweeted when Vinesh won her fights on Tuesday, "This girl was kicked and crushed in her own country. This girl was dragged on the streets in her country. This girl is going to conquer the world but she lost to the system in this country."
It is worth mentioning that prior to her disqualification on Wednesday, the day before when Vinesh had won her quarter-final against Ukraine's Oksana Livach, Bajrang had hailed Phogat as a 'lioness'.
Narrating how Vinesh worked hard to reduce her weight Bajrang had stated to a section of press that it's not easy for women to lose weight. But it's relatively easy for men. Vinesh was focusing on reducing her weight for the last 6 months by having a controlled and restricted diet which involves drinking less water, having one or two chapattis, Bajrang informed.
