Picture Credit: Twitter
Rajasthan wrestler Ritika Phogat, the cousin of Commonwealth Games gold medalists Geeta and Babita Phogat, allegedly committed suicide on Wednesday after losing the final match of a wrestling tournament. The maternal sister of Geeta and Babita, Ritika lost in the final of the 53 kg category of the state sub-junior competition by a bare margin of one point. Reports say that Ritika, who finished second in the competition, could not bear the shock of losing in the finale of the tournament and ended her life. It is worth noting that Ritika was learning and practicing wrestling at the Mahavir Phogat Sports Academy in Charkhi Dadri.
The wrestling tournament took place in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. It had started on March 12 and Ritika played the final on March 14.
Minister of State Vijay Kumar Singh condoles demise of Ritika
Vijay Kumar Singh, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, mourned the demise of Ritika and added that athletes nowadays are facing pressure, which was not a case some decades ago. He, meanwhile, proposed that the athletes should be trained to deal with pressure.
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
Phogat sisters took to Twitter:
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
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
भगवान रितिका की आत्मा को शांति दे। यह समय पूरे परिवार के लिए बहुत ही दुख की घड़ी है। आत्महत्या कोई समाधान नहीं है। हार और जीत दोनों जीवन के महत्वपूर्ण पहलू हैं। हारने वाला एक दिन जीतता भी जरूर है। संघर्ष ही सफलता की कुंजी है संघर्षों से घबराकर ऐसा कोई कदम नहीं उठाना चाहिए। pic.twitter.com/ecb4DztyC4
— Babita Phogat (@BabitaPhogat) March 18, 2021