Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024. Phogat, who was set to compete for gold in the Women's 50kg final, was disqualified for being a few grams overweight on the morning of her gold medal match against USA's Sarah Ann Hildebrandt.
Vinesh, who transitioned from the 53kg category to compete in the 50kg category, initially made the weight cut on Day 1, meeting the eligibility criteria. However, Olympic rules require wrestlers to meet the weight limit on both days of competition. Despite her valiant efforts, Vinesh was unable to meet the weight requirement on the day of the final, leading to her disqualification. Consequently, she will not be eligible for even a silver medal, leaving the 50kg event with only a gold and two bronze medals.
It has been reported that Vinesh spent the entire night trying to shed the extra grams, leaving no stone unturned to meet the weight criteria. Unfortunately, her efforts fell short, and neither Vinesh nor the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) can appeal against the decision.
Phogat’s journey to the final was remarkable and inspiring. She became the first Indian woman to reach the final of a wrestling event at the Olympics. Her path was filled with triumphs, including defeating defending champion Yui Susaki, who had never lost an international bout and is a four-time world champion. Vinesh then overpowered eighth seed Oksana Livach of Ukraine to secure a berth in the semi-finals, where she triumphed over Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez.
The news of her disqualification has sent shockwaves through the Indian sports community, leaving fans and fellow athletes heartbroken. Vinesh Phogat’s resilience and determination, however, remain a source of inspiration, showcasing her as a trailblazer in Indian wrestling. Despite the setback, her achievements in the Olympics have cemented her legacy as one of India’s finest athletes.