Vinesh Phogat disqualified before final for being overweight by 100g, here is what happens next
In a shocking development, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified ahead of the final of the women¡¯s wrestling 50kg for being overweight. "She was found overweight by 100 gm this morning. The rules do not allow this and she has been disqualified," said an Indian coach. The disqualification would also mean that Phogat will be placed last in the as per UWW rules.
In a shocking development, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified ahead of the final of the women¡¯s wrestling 50kg for being overweight. "It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women¡¯s Wrestling 50kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh¡¯s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand," the Indian Olympic Association said in a statement.
CREDIT: PTI
Overweight by 100 gm
United World Wrestling, the international governing body of the sport, has yet to issue a statement. "She was found overweight by 100 gm this morning. The rules do not allow this and she has been disqualified," said an Indian coach.
Phogat was not the only weight-related disqualification in the 50kg category.
On Tuesday, Italy's Emanuela Liuzzi was also forced to forfeit her preliminary bout after being found overweight.
What happens to the final
According to reports, with Phogat's disqualification, her opponent in the final, Sarah Hildebrandt would get a walk-over, and there will be no silver medal winners.
The disqualification would also mean that Phogat will be placed last in the as per UWW rules.
How an injury derailed Phogat
According to reports, Phogat who had suffered a ligament tear injury had undergone surgery in August 2023 after which she had gained weight to 59 kgs. However, ahead of the Olympic qualifications, Phogat had managed to bring down her weight to compete in the 50kg category. There were reports that she was initially advised to compete in the 53kg category.
Come back stronger, we are all rooting for you: PM Modi
Amid the heartbreak for 1.5 billion people, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Phogat a 'champion among champions' and wished her to come back stronger.
Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian.
¡ª Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2024
Today's setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing.
At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always¡
PTI, quoting sources reported that the prime minister also spoke to IOA president PT Usha and sought first hand information from her on the issue and the options India has in the wake of the setback.
He asked her to explore the full range of options to help Phogat's case.
Modi urged Usha to file a strong protest regarding her disqualification if that helps Phogat.
Olympian Abhinav Bindra said he was completely gutted and added that to be a true champion of the people, you don't need a medal.
Completely gutted . Sometimes u dont need a gold medal to be a true champion to people¡.
¡ª Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 7, 2024
Phogat was at the cusp of history
The devastating news was confirmed just hours before her much anticipated final match against Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States in the women's wrestling 50kg at the Paris Olympics 2024.
CREDIT: PTI
On Thursday, Phogat had scripted history by becoming the first female wrestler from India to reach the final round in the Olympics. Phogat who entered the Olympics unseeded but made her intentions clear by defeating 4-time world and Olympic champion Yui Susaki in the first round.
Phogat also defeated former European champion Oksana Livach of Ukraine in the quarter-finals and reigning Pan American Games champion Yusneylis Guzman of Cuba in the semis to enter her first Olympic wrestling final.
Vinesh Phogat competed in three weight classes in Olympics
A former World No.1 in 48kg, Phogat was participating in her third Olympics. She missed out on a medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics because of an injury. She lost to Vanesa Kaladzinskaya in the 53kg quarterfinals in the Tokyo Olympics.
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Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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