In a big blow to India’s chances of winning a Gold medal, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the women’s 50kg wrestling final at the Paris Olympics. The 29-year-old was found ineligible to compete on the second day as she was found 100 gram overweight during the weigh-in on the day of the final.
Unfortunately, Vinesh Phogat will not win any medal at the Paris Olympics, if the disqualification stays. Despite the best efforts from Vinesh Phogat’s team on Tuesday night, the wrestler missed the weight on Wednesday. Vinesh Phogat was in the 50kg permissible limit on Tuesday. She stunned World No. 1 Yui Susaki in the opening round before working her way through in the quarter-final and the semi-final to become the first-ever Indian woman to reach the Olympic wrestling final.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), in an official statement, confirmed the disqualification. It also requested all stakeholders to ensure Vinesh Phogat’s privacy.
“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,” the Indian Olympic Association said in a statement.
