We are athletes, not robots: Vinesh Phogat lashes out at critics on social media

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. Vinesh, though, made a strong come back as she won her two repechage rounds and then the bronze play-off without conceding a single point. The 28-year-old is not someone who holds back and she came out with a long statement, that gave a sense of how hurt she was by the criticism. "Athletes are humans and while being an athlete is a huge part of who we are, it doesn't mean we work like robots every time a tournament is announced. Not sure if this culture is in every country or this is just India where we have so many experts sitting at home," Vinesh wrote in her post. "Every individual, professional or not, has chased hardships, struggles and challenges through their journey. "Difference is the world does not comment and criticise them, thinking they are experts on those professionals and their careers. But we have many who consider themselves as experts on sports who think they know the efforts, the hardships and what goes into training an athlete." Vinesh questioned the unrelenting scrutiny on athletes. "Why are we as athletes answerable to them about every detail when all athletes get back is comments on how they should train, what they should do instead of support and encouragement when times are tough. "It is very discouraging when people assume they can comment on when athletes should stop or end their