Geeta Phogat’s cousin Ritika commits suicide after failing to win State-level competition

Ritika Phogat, cousin of Geeta and Babita has reportedly committed suicide after failing to win a state-level competition. Image: Twitter

Xtra Time Web Desk: Ritika Phogat, cousin of champion wrestlers Geeta and Babita Phogat recently committed suicide after failing to win a state level competition, according to Haryana Police. The Haryana police suspect the 17 year old committed suicide after narrowly missing a state level tournament final. Ritika had participated in a state-level competition at Bharatpur in Rajasthan between March 12 and 14.

“Ritika, wrestler and cousin of Babita Phogat, died allegedly by suicide on March 17. The reason behind it might have been her defeat at a recent wrestling tournament in Rajasthan. Investigations are underway,” Ram Singh Bishnoi, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Charkhi Dadri, told news agency ANI.

According to the police, she had been depressed about losing the final by one point.

She was found dead at the home of her uncle and legendary wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat late Monday. Ritika had trained with Mahavir Phogat, a Dronacharya award winner who runs a sports academy.

2010 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Geeta Phogat was left shocked at the tragic incident. She tweeted in Hindi,

“May Ritika, my little sister, my cousin, rest in peace. This is a very tragic time for my family. Ritika was a very able wrestler…don’t know why she did this. Winning and losing is a part of life and no one should take such a drastic step.”