New Delhi: The news of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat being disqualified from Paris Olympics 2024 after failing a critical second weigh-in Wednesday and her subsequent announcement of retirement from wrestling Thursday has sent shockwaves across the country, leaving millions of Indians heartbroken. However, following her disqualification, she had not only garnered the support of her own countrymen, but also from people across the world. A prominent personality who supported Phogat was 2012 Olympics gold medalist wrestler Jordan Burroughs from the US.
Burroughs has been continuously showing support to Phogat with his posts on social media.
Burroughs wrote on X, “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 trying to get the last bit of weight off of Vinesh to qualify for today’s final.”
He also mentioned that Phogat missed the weight requirement by a mere 100 grams, or 0.22 pounds. To put this in perspective, the wrestler pointed out that 100 grams is roughly equivalent to the weight of common household items such as a bar of soap, a kiwi, two eggs or a hundred paper clips.
Burroughs, who currently competes at 74 kilograms, also proposed immediate rule changes for United World Wrestling (UWW). His suggestions included a weight allowance of up to one kilogram on the second day, pushing weigh-ins from 8.30 am to 10.30 am, and implementing a rule that forfeits future finals if an opposing finalist misses weight.
Additionally, he suggested that after a semifinal victory, both finalists should secure their medals even if they miss weight on the second day, with the gold medal awarded only to those who make weight. Lastly, he suggested that Phogat be given the silver medal.
Also read: 2kg buffer, ranked last — as medal evades Phogat, what Olympic wrestling rules say on weigh-ins
‘Rules are rules’
The disqualification barred Phogat from competing in the 50-kilogram wrestling match against US’s Sarah Hildebrandt, which would have fetched her a gold medal had she won it.
UWW president Nenad Lalović reportedly expressed his sadness over the situation, but emphasised that “rules are rules”, and “nothing can be done”.
“The Indian contingent regretfully announces the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class. Despite the team’s best efforts through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50 kg this morning,” the Indian Olympic association wrote on X Wednesday morning.
It also said that no further comments would be made at the moment and requested respect for Phogat’s privacy as the team focuses on the ongoing competitions.
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)