In a disappointing turn of events for Indian wrestling, Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event due to being slightly overweight. Phogat, who had made headlines by becoming the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic wrestling final, was disqualified just before her gold medal bout.
Phogat had secured her place in the final after a series of impressive victories. She defeated Yui Susaki of Japan and Oksana Livach in the quarter-finals, followed by a win against Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the penultimate bout. Her performance throughout the tournament had been exemplary, showcasing her prowess and determination.
However, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced on Wednesday that Phogat was disqualified after failing to meet the weight requirement. Despite the Indian team’s best efforts to address the issue, Phogat weighed in a few grams over the 50kg limit during the official weigh-in. The disqualification occurred just hours before her scheduled gold medal match.
In an official statement, the IOA expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing the unfortunate nature of the disqualification. “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. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time,” the statement read.
The IOA requested respect for Phogat’s privacy, urging the public and media to allow her space as she processes the outcome. This setback marks a somber moment for Indian sports, as Phogat’s disqualification comes just before what was expected to be a historic gold medal bout. The Indian team continues to focus on the remaining competitions at the Olympics.