Vinesh Phogat was disqualified ahead of the Gold Medal match, will not win any medal at the Paris Olympics

By
Teja Devathoti
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7
Vinesh Phogat

Vinesh Phogat, one of India’s most celebrated wrestlers, faced a heartbreaking disqualification at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This unexpected turn of events occurred on the final day of the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event, where she was set to compete for the gold medal.

India’s Hopes on Gold crushed after Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification

Vinesh’s journey to the final was nothing short of spectacular. She defeated top-seeded and defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the opening round. In the quarter-finals, she overcame former European champion Oksana Livach of Ukraine. Her semi-final bout saw her besting reigning Pan American Games champion Yusneylis Guzman of Cuba. These victories set the stage for a highly anticipated final against USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt.

On the morning of the final, Vinesh was found to be overweight by a few grams, exceeding the 50kg limit. According to the rules of United World Wrestling, wrestlers must weigh in twice: once on the morning of the preliminary rounds and again on the morning of the final. Despite her team’s best efforts to help her shed the excess weight overnight, Vinesh was unable to make the cut. This led to her disqualification, eliminating her from the competition and ranking her last in the event.

Impact on Vinesh and Indian Wrestling

Vinesh’s disqualification is a significant blow not only to her but also to Indian wrestling. As a three-time Commonwealth Games champion and one of India’s top medal prospects, her absence from the podium is deeply felt. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) expressed regret over the incident and requested respect for Vinesh’s privacy during this challenging time.

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