Khel Ratna Awardee Vinesh Phogat Tests Positive For COVID-19

Star wrestler Vinesh Phogat, the only Indian woman wrestler to have qualified for Tokyo Olympics, has tested positive for COVID-19. As per reports, she is asymptomatic. The wrestler, who comes from the famous Phogat family, said, "Yes, I have tested positive for COVID-19 when my sample was taken in Sonepat before the dress rehearsal for the awards ceremony." She has been training at her village in Sonepat with coach Om Prakash during the past few months.

The wrestler also took to Twitter on Friday and revealed, "I am currently showing no symptoms but have isolated myself. All my family members are also isolating. I would request everyone who has come in contact with me recently to get tested. Stay safe everyone! Thank you."

I have tested positive for COVID-19 in a test taken yesterday. I am currently showing no symptoms but have isolated myself. All my family members are also isolating. I would request everyone who has come in contact with me recently to get tested. Stay safe everyone! Thank you 🙏

— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) August 28, 2020

"I will recover soon," the Asian and Commonwealth Games gold-medallist added. The 26-year-old wrestler will now miss the virtual ceremony for the National Sports Awards distribution on Saturday. Vinesh was among the five sportspersons who will receive the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award this year. She said that she has isolated herself at home.

Vinesh (53kg) was unbeatable at last year’s World Wrestling Championships which led her to qualify for the Olympics.

Last week, Vinesh was one of the first wrestlers to say no to the national camp in Lucknow from 1 September. She also raised serious concerns about health safety before the Tokyo Olympics 2021. She said she won't be competing at the event when the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) planned to resume the national camp. Following this, she had asked for an exemption from the camp because it was not safe to travel during the pandemic.

Following that Divya Kakran and Rio Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik had also shared the same views. Eventually, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the WFI decided to postpone the camp. However, the men's camp is scheduled to start at SAI Centre in Sonepat from September 1.

Also Read: How Are Indian Sportswomen Spending Time While Social Distancing

Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia favourites

Only four Indian wrestlers are going to the Tokyo Olympics. Ravi Dahiya (57kg), Bajrang Punia (65kg) and Deepak Punia (86kg) among men, while Vinesh is the only women wrestler in the league.

Bronze medallist at London 2012, Yogeshwar Dutt had earlier said that his favourite for the 2021 Olympics is Bajrang Punia along with Vinesh Phogat and Deepak Punia.