Vinesh Phogat Disqualified from Paris Olympics Final For Being Few Grams Overweight?

News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/7th August 2024

In a dramatic turn of events at the Paris Olympics, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event due to an overweight issue. Phogat, who had made it to the finals and was set to compete for the gold medal, will no longer participate after failing to meet the weight criteria on the second day of the competition.

The Indian Olympic Association announced the disqualification with regret, stating that despite the team’s best efforts, Phogat weighed in slightly over the 50kg limit on the morning of the final. The statement emphasized that no further comments would be made at this time and requested respect for Phogat’s privacy as the team focuses on the ongoing competitions.

Phogat was initially scheduled to face Sarah Hildebrandt from the USA in the gold medal bout. However, she was found to be 100 grams overweight during the weigh-in on Wednesday. According to the rules of international wrestling, any deviation from the weight limit results in disqualification, leaving Phogat unable to compete in the final. Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who lost to Phogat in the semifinals, will now take her place in the gold medal match.

The Paris Games organizing committee confirmed that Phogat’s disqualification would see Yusneylis Guzman Lopez compete for the gold against Hildebrandt, while Yui Susaki of Japan and Oksana Livach of Ukraine will contest for the bronze medal. The incident has sparked discussions about the stringent weight regulations in wrestling and the challenges athletes face in meeting these requirements.

Reports indicate that Phogat had met the weight criteria on the day of her bouts on Tuesday. However, the rules stipulate that athletes must meet the weight limit on both days of the event. Despite working intensely overnight to shed the excess weight, Phogat was unable to achieve the required weight by the time of the final weigh-in. Efforts by the Indian delegation to seek additional time for Phogat to lose the extra weight were not accommodated.

The disqualification not only affects Phogat’s standing but also ends her remarkable run in the tournament. Phogat had earlier made headlines by defeating Japan’s Yui Susaki in the pre-quarterfinals, a victory that was particularly notable as Susaki had maintained an unbeaten record of 82-0 in her international career.

Phogat’s disqualification is part of a broader issue at the Paris Games, where weight-related disqualifications have also impacted other athletes. Italian wrestler Emanuela Liuzzi faced a similar fate, having to forfeit her preliminary bout after being found overweight.

The rigorous overnight weight-cutting measures led to dehydration issues for Phogat, who is now receiving medical care in Paris. The emotional toll of this setback has resonated widely, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his support for Phogat. On social media, he conveyed his sentiments about the disappointment of the situation, reflecting the broader impact of this event on India’s Olympic campaign.

Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics marks a poignant moment in the competition, underscoring the high stakes and challenges faced by athletes in maintaining weight limits while striving for excellence on the global stage.