• By Namrata Vijay
  • Wed, 07 Aug 2024 02:07 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Vinesh Phogat Disqualified: In a piece of heartbreaking news for the Indian fans, India's star wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Wednesday was disqualified from the ongoing Paris Olympics after she was found overweight ahead of her women's 50kg final bout against American wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt, leaving her medal-less within hours of coming close to an unparalleled gold. Vinesh on Tuesday scripted history to become the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for the finals at the Olympics.  

According to the Indian Olympic Association, Phogat weighed around 100 grams above the permissible limit. As per the rules, wrestlers should stay within their weight categories on both days of the event. Subsequently, Phogat won't be eligible even for the silver medal match and the 50kg category will now have just gold and bronze medal winners. 

"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," the Indian Olympic Association said in a statement.

"No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you to respect Vinesh's privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand," it added.

The disqualification means that Vinesh will end up medal-less in the Games as international rules stipulate that any grappler found overweight at the time of weigh-in ends up at the bottom of the final standings.

She had taken down defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan en route to the finals on Tuesday and was to face American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt in the summit bout this evening. Before this morning, she was assured of at least a silver medal but will now be coming back empty-handed due to the disqualification.

According to a report by the Indian Express, Phogat, who qualified for the finals against all odds, gained 2kg weight overnight on Tuesday. She couldn't sleep the whole night and did jogging and cycling to bring her weight to the permissible limit. However, during the weigh-in, Phogat was found 100 grams above the 50kg weight.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Extends Support

Shortly after the news of Vinesh Phogat's disqualification was out, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his official X account and praised Phogat, calling her "India's Pride".

"Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. 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 been your nature to take challenges head on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you," the prime minister wrote on X. 

Meanwhile, PM Modi also spoke to IOA president PT Usha to seek first-hand information on Vinesh Phogat's disqualification and sought the options India has. He also asked the IOA chief to explore the full range of options to help Vinesh's case, urging PT Usha to file a strong protest regarding the disqualification, if that helps the wrestler.

A former World No. 1 in 48 kg, Vinesh was participating in her third Olympics. She missed out on a medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics because of an injury. In the Tokyo Olympics, she lost to Vanesa Kaladzinskaya in the 53kg quarterfinals.