Ritika, cousin of wrestlers Geeta and Babita Phogat, 'commits suicide' after losing final

Tribune News Service
Hisar, March 18

A budding wrestler, Ritika Balauda, cousin of famed wrestlers Geeta and Babita Phogat, allegedly committed suicide at their residence on Monday night.

The village sources said that Ritika, 17, was reportedly under depression as she had lost a wrestling tournament’s final held in Rajasthan recently by a narrow margin.

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

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

She had participated in a state-level competition at Bharatpur between March 12 and 14.

She had been staying at the residence of Geeta and Babita to get training under the mentorship of her uncle Mahavir Phogat. She had gone to sleep in her room on Monday night and was found hanging from a ceiling fan on Tuesday morning, the sources added.

Dronacharya awardee Mahavir Phogat has trained his daughters Geeta, Babita and niece Vinesh at his wrestling academy at their native place in Balali village of Charkhi Dadri district.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.