Vinesh Phogat’s journey at the Paris Olympics ended in disappointment on Wednesday morning after she was disqualified from the gold medal bout in the women’s freestyle 50kg category for being 100 grams overweight during the weigh-in. This disqualification meant that Phogat, who had previously defeated world number one and defending champion Yui Susaki, would not be bringing home a medal.
Indian Olympic team doctor Dinshaw Pardiwala revealed that drastic measures, including cutting Phogat’s hair, were taken in an attempt to meet the weight requirement, but these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.
India’s women’s national coach Virender Dahiya and Manjeet Rani consoled Phogat following the disqualification. Dahiya shared that despite the setback, Phogat remained resilient and accepted the situation sportingly, saying, “It’s hard luck that we missed the medal, but it is part of the game.”
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief PT Usha, who met with Phogat shortly after the incident, confirmed that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has appealed the decision to United World Wrestling (UWW). Usha assured that Phogat is receiving all necessary medical and emotional support.
In another blow to Indian wrestling, Antim Panghal was defeated in her opening bout in the women’s 53kg category, with the coach commenting that she did not seem to be in her best form.
