Vinesh Phogat Disqualified from Paris 2024 Wrestling Final

Indian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Disqualified from Paris 2024 Final

In a significant setback for India’s Olympic ambitions, wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the women’s 50kg wrestling final at the Paris Olympics 2024. The disqualification occurred after Phogat was found to be 150 grams overweight during the weigh-in ahead of the crucial bout.

Phogat, 29, had achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic wrestling final. However, despite her impressive performance throughout the tournament, including a stunning victory over World No. 1 Yui Susaki, she was deemed ineligible to compete in the final due to this weight discrepancy.

The Disqualification Decision

The disqualification came after Phogat’s team made a concerted effort to rectify the weight issue on the eve of the final. Unfortunately, their attempts were unsuccessful, and Phogat was found to be 150 grams over the weight limit during the official weigh-in. According to the regulations set by the world wrestling body, any wrestler who fails to meet the weight requirement is automatically assigned the last place in their weight class.

Indian Olympic Association’s Response

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially confirmed the disqualification. In their statement, the IOA expressed regret over the situation and requested privacy for Phogat. They emphasized the team’s focus on the ongoing competitions and refrained from further comments. The statement read:

“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 Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand.”

Weigh-In Rules and Regulations

Understanding the weigh-in rules is crucial for athletes in wrestling. Wrestlers must weigh in the day before their competition, typically in the afternoon or evening. They must meet the exact weight limits designated for their weight category without any allowance. During the weigh-in, wrestlers are required to wear only their competition-approved undergarments to ensure an accurate measurement. Additionally, a medical examination follows the weigh-in to assess the wrestler’s fitness for the competition and any potential health risks.

Vinesh Phogat’s Past Competitions

In the Tokyo Olympics, Vinesh competed in the women’s 53kg category. She returned to competitive wrestling in January 2024 after a 15-month break, and her transition to the 50kg weight class was a significant challenge. Maintaining the lower weight over the past few months required extraordinary effort from Phogat, but she ultimately fell short by a mere 150 grams.

The disqualification marks a disappointing end to what could have been a historic Olympic performance for Phogat and Indian wrestling. The focus now shifts to the future as the Indian contingent continues its participation in the Paris Olympics.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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