India’s star wrestler Vinesh Phogat worked out all night to shed some two kilos of extra weight, but stringent weight regulations at the Olympics left no room for error. Her narrow miss on the scales on Day 2 – just 100 grams over – ended her thus far stellar campaign prematurely.
माँ कुश्ती मेरे से जीत गई मैं हार गई माफ़ करना आपका सपना मेरी हिम्मत सब टूट चुके इससे ज़्यादा ताक़त नहीं रही अब।
अलविदा कुश्ती 2001-2024 🙏
आप सबकी हमेशा ऋणी रहूँगी माफी 🙏🙏
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) August 7, 2024
Reports claim she cycled, skipped and jogged all night, with no food or water, and somewhat incredibly, even cut her hair and let out blood, after gaining weight to replenish the energy lost during three bouts on Day 1.
“It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class,” the IOA said in a statement. “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.”
As a wave of devastation swept the country, reports came in that Vinesh was in medical care, being treated for dehydration soon after the weigh-in.
Meanwhile, the USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt, who Vinesh was scheduled to meet in the gold medal bout, won her match against Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, taking the gold in women’s freestyle wrestling at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on 7 August.
Lopez had lost to Vinesh Phogat in the semifinals. In the process, Vinesh had made history by becoming the first Indian woman to compete in the Olympics and make it to the final.
The two athletes ranked immediately lower, Susaki Yui (JPN) and Livach Oksana (UKR) played for bronze. Susaki took the medal, winning 10-0.
Vinesh had started her campaign in Paris with a major upset win when she defeated Susaki, world No. 1 and Japan’s four-time World Champion and Tokyo Olympics gold medallist. Until that match, Susaki had remained undefeated in her entire wrestling career of 95 international matches.
It looked like it would be a great redemption story for Vinesh, following a disappointing performance in the Tokyo Olympics. But it was not to be.
Following the disqualification, the star Indian wrestler, who was playing in her third Olympics, will be placed last as per United World Wrestling rules.
Vinesh Phogat disqualification: Calls for a reconsideration
Vinesh Phogat has reportedly launched an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), sources told IANS. According to sources, she demanded a joint silver medal in the 50kg weight category.
“Yes, she has filed the appeal. The verdict is likely to come on August 8 morning. Let’s see what happens then. But chances are zero. They can’t change the rules,” sources told IANS on Wednesday night.
Vinesh found some support from wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs, American freestyle wrestler who won the gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics.
My goodness. I don’t think any of us can quite comprehend the future ramifications for Vinesh missing weight this morning. When she awoke today, she was India’s first ever female Olympic finalist, guaranteed at least a silver. Now she will be returning home medal-less. God bless…
— Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) August 7, 2024
“Give Vinesh the silver medal,” Burroughs urged the IOC, and suggested rule changes to avoid such situations.
Burroughs, 36 holds the record for participating in the most Olympic and World Championships in American history, and has won three Olympic bouts. He has proposed some path-breaking measures to ensure no wrestler returns home empty-handed if they have won three bouts.
His proposal for rule changes for the United World Wrestling includes giving a one-kg weight allowance to wrestlers on the second day of the competition, and for weigh-ins to be pushed from 8:30 am to 10:30 am local time.
Proposed Immediate Rule Changes for UWW:
1.) 1kg second Day Weight Allowance.
2.) Weigh-ins pushed from 8:30am to 10:30am.
3.) Forfeit will occur in future finals if opposing finalist misses weight.
4.) After a semifinal victory, both finalists’ medals are secured even if…
— Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) August 7, 2024
The American legend, who has won nine medals at the World Championships, has also proposed a forfeit should occur in future finals only if the opposing finalist misses weight. He has also suggested that after a semifinal victory, both finalists’ medals should be secured even if weight is missed on Day 2.
“Gold can only be won by a wrestler who makes weight on the second day,” he proposed.
His post drew support from netizens, with one of them suggesting the multiple weigh-ins are dangerous for the health of wrestlers.
Vinesh Phogat’s support staff
As calls have gone out baying for the heads of Vinesh’s support staff, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha has provided clarification.
“Our support staff were there all night to bring her weight down from 52.7 kg to 50kg. The doctors have not slept and have done their level best for Vinesh,” the IOA President told reporters.
The contingent’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala has explained the nutrition process that takes place for an athlete before a bout, saying ‘it is a fine balance.’
— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) August 7, 2024
“It was a calculated restriction of food and water. We involve a lot of excessive sweating which is done with exercise, sauna, and steam to achieve the weight cut in the morning. The weight cut causes weakness and energy depletion which is really counterproductive. Hence for participation, we need to restore energy with some amounts of water and energy foods,” said Dr Pardiwala.
“Once she was disqualified, then as a precautionary measure we had to rehydrate her. The best way to rehydrate an athlete is through Intravenous (IV) fluids. She started eating and drinking, she is perfectly normal physically and medically now. Her blood tests have come back clear,” he added.
Wave of support for Vinesh
Indian social media has been filled with messages of support, from the Prime Minister and ministers, sportspersons such as cricketers, entertainment stars, and the general public.
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.
At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2024
Calls are out this morning to afford the 29-year-old a hero’s welcome when she returns to India.
‘Match the adulation shown to the Indian cricket team only weeks ago,’ one group is claiming.
Others have called for the awarding of a Bharat Ratna, or even a Rajya Sabha berth.
Nisha Dahiya and Vinesh Phogat, your courage and determination have inspired the entire nation.
Nisha, fighting through injury with such spirit was truly remarkable.
Vinesh, despite the heartbreak of disqualification, your incredible journey to the finals and victory against…
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 7, 2024
Meanwhile, Vinesh’s university, Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar where she is pursuing a Masters degree in psychology, has announced a Rs 25 lakh reward for her.
One thing is sure: Vinesh Phogat’s wrestling career – not without controversies from the beginning – will go down as one filled with life lessons for aspiring sportswomen in India, indeed for all young women with a dream to achieve.
@Phogat_Vinesh is much more than the medals she has won or lost . She will always be the energy & the dream in the hearts and minds of millions of young women & girls .Sometimes we realise our dreams in ways that are still unimagined. @WeAreTeamIndia
— Neelam Kapur (@NeelamKapur) August 7, 2024
With IANS reports
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