Family, Sports Fraternity Mourn Death Of Teen Wrestler Ritika Phogat

Ritika Phogat suicide: 17-year-old Ritika Phogat, wrestlers Geeta and Babita Phogat’s maternal cousin, reportedly died by suicide on March 17. Ritika Phogat had lost a final bout at a wrestling tournament in Bharatpur, Rajasthan on Wednesday, which had allegedly upset her. An investigation is underway in her death, according to Ram Singh Bishnoi, DSP, Charkhi Dadri.

Haryana | Ritika, wrestler and cousin of Babita Phogat, died allegedly by suicide on March 17. The reason behind it might have been her defeat at a recent wrestling tournament in Rajasthan. Investigation underway: Ram Singh Bishnoi, DSP, Charkhi Dadri pic.twitter.com/bLDZbsS3gT

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2021

NDTV reported that Ritika Phogat was found dead at the home of her uncle and legendary wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat. She was a student of the Mahavir Phogat Sports Academy.

Soon, Twitter was flooded with condolences for the young wrestler.

Wrestler turned Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Ritu Phogat shared Ritika's photo to pay tribute with an emotional note. "Rest in Peace choti behen Ritika. I still can't believe what just happened with you Will miss you forever. Om Shanti," Ritu tweeted.

Rest in Peace choti behen Ritika. I still can't believe what just happened with you Will miss you forever 💔💔 Om Shanti 🥺😢🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/LiLum1kbYB

— Ritu phogat (@PhogatRitu) March 18, 2021

"I have been getting messages all morning today. I am very sad and disturbed about what happened in my family. I urge people to not spread and believe in any rumours and act responsibly. These are tough times for me and my family and I urge you all to respect our privacy. Thank you for all your love, support and understanding," she further added.

I have been getting messages all morning today. I am very sad and disturbed about what happened in my family. I urge people to not spread and believe in any rumours and act responsibly. These are tough times for me and my family and I urge you all to respect our privacy.

— Ritu phogat (@PhogatRitu) March 18, 2021

Geeta Phogat too took to Twitter and wrote, "It is a very depressing time for my family. Ritika was a talented wrestler and I don't know why she had to take this drastic step. Winning and losing are part of every athlete's life, we shouldn't take such extreme step."

भगवान मेरी छोटी बहन मेरे मामा की लड़की रितिका की आत्मा को शांति दे। मेरे परिवार के लिए बहुत ही दुख की घड़ी है। रितिका बहुत ही होनहार पहलवान थी पता नहीं क्यों उसने ऐसा कदम उठाया। हार-जीत खिलाड़ी के जीवन का हिस्सा होता है हमें ऐसा कोई क़दम नहीं उठाना चाहिये 🙏😢 pic.twitter.com/RQFhM1jVpi

— geeta phogat (@geeta_phogat) March 18, 2021

“Terrible news that we lost #RitikaPhogat who had a brilliant career ahead. The world has changed from where it was some decades ago. Athletes are facing pressures which were not there earlier. An essential part of their training should be to deal with these pressures,” wrote Vijay Kumar Singh, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Union Government of India, who is an MP from Ghaziabad. Who Is Ritika Phogat?

Terrible news that we lost #RitikaPhogat who had a brilliant career ahead. The world has changed from where it was some decades ago. Athletes are facing pressures which were not there earlier. An essential part of their training should be to deal with these pressures.

— Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) March 18, 2021

Writer and filmmaker Jyoti Kapur Das wrote to Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju urging him to ensure that athletes are provided training to deal with psychological issues. "Ritika Phogat was 17! She lost a match by one point, allegedly. And she got so disheartened, she committed suicide... I'm sure you will ensure that our Sportspersons get PSYCHOLOGICAL & MENTAL training even more than physical," she tweeted.

#RitikaPhogat was 17! She lost a match by one point, allegedly. And she got so disheartened, she committed suicide... I'm sure you will ensure that our Sportspersons get PSYCHOLOGICAL & MENTAL training even more than physical, @KirenRijiju ji. 🙏🏻 Om Shanti 🙏🏻 Prayers... 🙏🏻

— Jyoti Kapur Das (@jkd18) March 18, 2021

Feature Image Credit: News18 Hindi