Firing a salvo at the “so called fans and experts” on social media, star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat denounced the negative criticism hurled at her during the World Championship, saying the “athletes are not robots.” Vinesh also exhorted fellow athletes to keep working hard so that this uncalled for criticism culture ends.

On a road to redemption, Vinesh became the first Indian woman wrestler to win two World Championship medals when she grabbed a 53kg bronze in Belgrade last week. However, her manner of defeat against Mongolia’s Khulan Batkhuyag (0-7) in the Qualification round, evoked sharp criticism on social media platforms.