Vinesh Phogat's Olympics heartbreak: Wrestler disqualified after weigh-in

She had to work harder on her fitness levels so that she remained at the top of her game against quicker and more agile wrestlers in this category

If Olympic hope had a metric, it would be measured in grams. What started as a heartwarming bout of hope and perseverance saw Indians wrestling with a heartbreak.
 

In a tragic twist, wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified before the women’s 50-kilogram (kg) freestyle final at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday after missing the weight limit by just 100 grams, according to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
 

Phogat, 29, was set to compete against Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States for the gold medal.
 

“It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares the news of Vinesh’s disqualification from the women’s wrestling 50 kg class. Despite the team’s best efforts through the night, she weighed in a few grams over this morning,” the IOA said in a statement.
 

 

“No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests respect for Vinesh’s privacy as we focus on the competitions at hand,” the statement continued.
 

According to the rules, failure to attend or pass the weigh-in results in elimination from the competition without a ranking.
 

On Wednesday, Vinesh was admitted to a clinic in the Games Village after complaining of dehydration.
 

“Her nutritionist noted that her usual intake of 1.5 litres of fluids throughout the day provides energy for her bouts. There is sometimes rebound weight gain after a competition. She had three bouts on Tuesday, which required some water intake to prevent dehydration,” said Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, chief medical officer for the Indian Olympic contingent.
 

 “We found her post-participation weight had increased more than usual. The coach initiated the standard weight-cut procedure used with Vinesh. Overnight, we proceeded with the weight-cut procedure. Despite all efforts, we found Vinesh’s weight was still 100 grams over. We even tried cutting her hair. After disqualification, she was given intravenous fluids to prevent further dehydration,” he added.
 

After competing in three bouts on Tuesday, Vinesh was 2 kg overweight. Despite intensive efforts by her team of physios to shed the excess weight, including saunas over the next 12 hours, she was still slightly overweight at the weigh-in.
 

It capped a dramatic 24 hours for the star Indian grappler, who on Tuesday defeated Yui Susaki, a formidable opponent with an undefeated record of 95 bouts.
 

Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who lost to Vinesh in the semifinal, replaced her in the final.
 

Vinesh’s journey to Paris was fraught with hurdles. Last year, she led protests on the streets of Delhi against sexual harassment in the sport.
 

A year ago, her wrestling career was on the mat due to a knee injury, tearing her anterior cruciate ligament and ending her hopes for the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

Faced with the emergence of young grappler Antim Panghal in the 53 kg category, Vinesh opted to move down to 50 kg.

Previously wrestling in the 48 kg category at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics at age 22, she faced a challenging transition to the 53 kg category at Tokyo.

Maintaining weight in a new category involved competing against quicker and more agile wrestlers she had never faced before and required adjustments in her fitness regimen.

“Shifting to a lower weight category after competing at 53 kg for so long was a difficult decision. However, Vinesh has done a marvellous job maintaining that level,” said V N Prasood, former secretary general of the Wrestling Federation of India.
 

IOA President P T Usha said the Wrestling Federation of India has appealed to United World Wrestling and is following up on the matter “in the strongest possible manner”.

“We are providing Vinesh with all the medical and emotional support,” Usha added.

PM offers support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his support to Vinesh.
 

“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,” he posted on X.

“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,” he added.

GAINED & LOST
 

> Her weight increased toover 52 kg after semifinal

> No food, no water through the night

> Blood drawn from her body

> Hair shortened

> Sauna sessions in the morning