New Delhi: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Olympics after failing to meet the weight requirements before her highly anticipated 50kg women’s freestyle gold medal bout against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the US.
Vinesh tipped the scales at approximately 100 gm over the weight allowed in her category, a point made by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in Parliament.
Wrestlers are weighed before each match and on both days of competition, according to Olympic wrestling weight rules. They must stay within their designated weight category on both days of competition to remain eligible for the event.
Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez will now compete in the final, while four-time world champion Yui Susaki of Japan and Ukraine’s Oksana Livach grapple for the bronze.
Vinesh was hospitalised Wednesday after she fainted soon after she learnt about her disqualification. The health scare was due to dehydration after which the wrestler was taken to the polyclinic of the Olympic Village.
Prior to Wednesday’s development, Vinesh is said to have made a desperate attempt to remain in her weight category by jogging, skipping, and cycling Tuesday night.
“Vinesh’s nutritionist felt that the usual amount she takes is 1.5kg over the day gives enough energy for the bouts. Sometimes there is a factor of rebound weight gain following a competition. Vinesh had three bouts, to prevent any dehydration, some amount of water had to be given. We found her post-participation weight had increased more than normal and the coach initiated the normal process of weight cut that he has always used with Vinesh,” Dr Dinshaw Paudiwala, Chief Medical Officer of the Indian contingent, told ANI.
“Overnight we went ahead with the weight cut procedure. Despite all efforts, we found Vinesh’s weight was 100 grams over her 50kg weight category. We tried all possible drastic measures including cutting her hair and shortening her clothes. Despite this, we could not make that 50kg weight category. After disqualification, as a measure of precaution, Vinesh was administered intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration…,” he added.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a heartfelt message for Vinesh on ‘X’ saying that she was “India’s pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian.” He added that she epitomises resilience.
Earlier, there were reports that Modi spoke to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P.T. Usha to gather more information and explore potential options following Vinesh’s disqualification.
According to United World Wrestling rules, there is no scope for an appeal. “If an athlete does not attend or fails the weigh in, he/she will be eliminated from the competition and ranked last without rank,” the UWW rules state.
Later, the IOA came out with a statement confirming that Vinesh was disqualified from the Games. “It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the women’s wrestling 50kg class,” the IOA said in a statement. “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,” it added.
The IOA later filed a complaint on the matter.
Vinesh’s disqualification sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with users expressing their disappointment and surprise alike.
American freestyle wrestler Jordan Burroughs, a six-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist, was scathing in his comment as he came out with a series of posts on ‘X’ in support of Vinesh.
Maybe stories like this will wake up the IOC.
Wrestling needs MORE than six weight classes!
After three tough matches against world class opponents, no athlete should have to spend the night preparing for a Gold medal in this manner.
Absolute desperation from the Indian team… pic.twitter.com/67l7Uleg1P
— Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) August 7, 2024
Among those from the sporting fraternity who came out in support of the wrestler from Haryana were shuttler P.V. Sindhu, former cricketer Irfan Pathan, Olympic gold winner Abhinav Bindra, professional boxer and Olympic bronze winner Vijender Singh, fellow wrestler and Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: Dhoni fan, ticket collector & now Olympic medalist. Swapnil Kusale shoots bronze in Paris