Japan’s Rei Higuchi Speaks Out on Wrestler Needs Amid Controversy
In the wake of a heated controversy surrounding Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024, Japanese wrestler Rei Higuchi has weighed in on the essential factors affecting a wrestler’s performance. This comes after Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha condemned the backlash faced by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala.
Phogat, who had made history as the first Indian woman to qualify for the final in Olympic wrestling, faced a setback when she was disqualified for exceeding the permissible weight limit by 100 grams just hours before her gold-medal bout against USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt. PT Usha criticized the trolls targeting Dr. Pardiwala and defended the medical team’s role in managing athletes’ weight.
In a statement, Usha emphasized, “The responsibility of weight management in sports such as wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, and judo lies with the athletes and their coaches, not with the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala and his team.” She further condemned the hatred directed at the medical staff, labeling it unacceptable.
Amidst this controversy, Rei Higuchi, a two-time Olympic medallist, shared his insights on what determines a wrestler’s success. Higuchi highlighted that wrestling requires a combination of strength, technique, physicality, mentality, nutrition, weight management, rest, and video research. He stressed the importance of a knowledgeable and trustworthy coach in balancing these factors effectively.
Higuchi, who recently won gold in the men’s 57kg event at the Paris Olympics, has personal experience with disqualification. In 2020, he was disqualified for being 50 grams over the weight limit. Reflecting on Vinesh Phogat’s situation, Higuchi expressed empathy and shared a message of support. “I understand your pain the best. Same 50g. Don’t worry about the voices around you. Life goes on. Rising from setbacks is the most beautiful thing. Take a good rest.”
As Vinesh Phogat continues to seek justice by appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a possible joint-silver medal, Higuchi’s comments offer a broader perspective on the complexities of wrestling and the pressures athletes face.
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