Vinesh Phogat's disqualification: Have weight issues led to such heartbreak for athletes in Olympics before?
In a devastating turn of events, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's long-held dream of competing at the Olympics was shattered within a matter of hours. The talented athlete was disqualified from participating in the women's 50kg final due to being overweight, a development that left her hopes of representing her country at the highest level of competition in ruins.
Has this kind of disqualification happened before?
The disqualification of Vinesh Phogat sparked a wave of disappointment and outrage among fans and supporters, with many questioning the fairness of the rules.?
On social media, many expressed their belief that the disqualification was unjust and even hinted at a conspiracy against the Indian wrestler. Even India's boxing icon Vijender Singh, in an interview with IANS, expressed his doubts about the way Vinesh was disqualified.
The incident led to discussions about whether similar disqualifications have occurred in the past. In fact, a similar situation happened in 2021 when American wrestler J'den Cox failed to make weight for the US Olympic Wrestling Trials. Cox, a two-time reigning world champion at the non-Olympic weight of 92 kilograms, was attempting to compete in the 97-kilogram bracket for the Tokyo Olympics.??
Jden Cox misses weight for 96kg
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?Despite his impressive track record, he was disqualified for not meeting the weight requirement. Cox, who won a bronze medal in the 86-kilogram category at the Rio Olympics in 2016, retired from the sport earlier this year after competing at the most recent US Olympic Wrestling Trials.
Timeline of events leading to Vinesh Phogat's disqualification
The events leading to Vinesh Phogat's disqualification unfolded rapidly. On Tuesday, Vinesh made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the Olympic final after securing two crucial victories. Her success raised hopes of India winning its first gold medal in wrestling.
However, despite her triumphs on the mat, Vinesh faced a significant challenge in keeping her weight under the 50kg limit. On Tuesday morning, she weighed in at 49.9 kg, but following her semifinal match, her weight increased to 52.7 kg. Determined to make the weight, Vinesh spent the entire night skipping, jogging, and using a sauna to shed the extra pounds. By morning, she had managed to bring her weight down to 50.1 kg.
Unfortunately, during the official weigh-in the next morning, Vinesh was found to be 100 grams over the limit, weighing in at 50.1 kg. Despite the Indian team's efforts to request additional time, the strict rules meant that Vinesh was disqualified, dashing her hopes of competing for a medal.
Is the disqualification unfair?
The disqualification of Vinesh Phogat, while heartbreaking for her and the millions of Indians who supported her, is a consequence of the strict regulations in place. The 100-gram discrepancy in her weight, although small, was enough to warrant disqualification.?
The process of cutting weight is an integral part of competing at international events, particularly in lower weight categories. Athletes often strive to lose up to 10 percent of their body mass in the weeks leading up to tournaments.?
Once they successfully make weight, the focus shifts to recovering the lost mass, primarily through fluid intake.
Indian wrestler Seema Bisla previously highlighted the challenges of making weight in an interview with ESPN. She stated, "Just because you make weight doesn't mean you are going to win a medal. Uska alag tension hai (that's a separate worry). Making weight is the price you pay merely to compete."
PM Modi expresses despair, Mahavir Phogat tears up
Following the news of Vinesh Phogat's disqualification, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to express his deep disappointment. In a post on X, he referred to Vinesh as "India's pride" and shared his "despair" over the unfortunate situation.
Vinesh's uncle, Mahavir Singh Phogat, also reacted emotionally, breaking down in tears as he addressed the media. "There won't be any medals now. There's no solution to this. We will try again in 2028," he said.
As per the latest reports, Vinesh has been hospitalized due to severe dehydration, adding another layer of concern to an already distressing situation.
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