According to Haryana police, Ritika took her own life by hanging from a ceiling fan in the home of her uncle, Dronacharya’s awardee, Mahavir Phogat. Prima facie, the police and the Phogat family believe that Ritika took an extreme step as she was upset about losing the final to a state level junior. struggle tournament for one point. The championship was organized at the Lohagarh Stadium in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, from March 12-14. Mahavir Phogat had accompanied Ritika to Bharatpur and returned to Balali with her.
In recounting the turn of events, a member of the Phogat family in Balali told TOI: “Ritika and Mahavir ji had come to Bharatpur for the tournament. He did well but lost in the final to a Rajasthan fighter by one point. The tournament ended on March 14 and they both returned to Balali by car on March 15. Later that night, Ritika hanged herself with a dupatta. ”
Rest in peace choti behen Ritika. I still can’t believe what just happened to you I’ll miss you forever 💔💔 Om Sha… https://t.co/J42tbzYyHG
– Ritu phogat (@PhogatRitu) 1616043719000
Thank you for all your love, support, and understanding. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
– Ritu phogat (@PhogatRitu) 1616043788000
“When she returned, she was very upset about the loss. When you have sisters who are super achievers in wrestling, you may feel the pressure to achieve similar fame, ”said a family member.
“The investigation into the death of Ritika Phogat is ongoing,” said Ram Singh Bishnoi, DSP of Charkhi Dadri.
Ritika was the daughter of Daya Kaur’s brother, the wife of Mahavir Phogat. She had been staying with her uncle and training with him for the past four years.
Ritika’s cousin sisters expressed shock and were distraught over her death.
भगवान मेरी छोटी बहन मेरे मामा की लड़की रितिका की आत्मा को शांति दे। मेरे परिवार के लिए बहुत ही दुख की घड़ी है। रिति… https://t.co/PgCRvv9P67
– geeta phogat (@geeta_phogat) 1616047852000
“It is a very sad time for my family. Ritika was a talented fighter and I don’t know why she took that step. Victory and defeat are part of the life of an athlete. We should never take such a step, ”Geeta, who is training at the national camp and preparing for the Asian Olympic qualifiers, told TOI.
“May he rest in peace. Suicide is not the solution. Both defeat and victory are important aspects of life. The loser also wins one day. The fight is the key to success, you should not take that step fearing the struggles of life, ”said Babita.
“I am very sad and distressed by what has happened in my family. I urge people not to spread or believe rumors and to act responsibly. These are difficult times for us and I ask everyone to respect our privacy, ”tweeted Ritu, an MMA fighter currently in Singapore.
Ritika’s brother-in-law (husband of Sangeeta Phogat) and star Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia also expressed regret over her death. “Winning and losing are an integral part of sports. If you are an athlete, you have to accept it. Sometimes you win, you lose something. She was very young, what she did was a mistake, ”said Punia.
Ritika is survived by her father Mainpal, mother Monika, and four younger siblings (two brothers and two sisters), who stay in Jaitpur village in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. He was scheduled to take his XII class board exams in the first week of May at the Vivekanand Memorial public school, founded by Mahavir Phogat near his home village.
(Entries by Rohit Bhardwaj)
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