Vinesh Phogat Paris Olympics Saga: How Indian wrestler went home empty-handed over 100 grams of weight
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat went home empty-handed after being disqualified for being 100 grams over the weight limit at Paris Olympics.
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Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat after winning her quarter final bout at Paris Olympics (image via Sportstar/X)
Athletes have been working hard for almost four years to bring their best when they compete at the Paris Olympics. Therefore, in that process, they sacrifice a lot just to bring not only glory for their respective nations, but also themselves. Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat did all that to perform at her best, but she has been left empty-handed after failing to make the weight regulations.
The 29-year-old was the star of the wrestling events at this edition of the Summer Olympics. In her opening bout in the 50 kg category, she beat four-time world and defending Olympic champion Japan’s Yui Susaki. Sasaki was 95-0 against non-Japanese wrestlers up until she lost to Phogat in the closing seconds of the match—a resounding victory that brought the world’s attention onto the Indian wrestler.
Then on, she was on a hot streak, beating Ukraine’s Oksana Livach first, and then Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman in the semifinal to become the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic wrestling final, a remarkable feat considering she went up against the world’s best and beat them fair and square.
She was on the verge of creating history for her country as well as herself. However, she fell at the 2nd to last hurdle. Had it been against an opponent, it would have brought some respite. But this was against the weighing scale, which showed she was 100 grams over the 50 kg weight limit, on the morning of her gold medal bout.
It meant, all the hard work she has put in over all those years, even against her own wrestling federation, has now culminated in heartbreak at the Paris Olympics.
Vinesh Phogat couldn’t beat the weight scale
On the 6th of August, Vinesh Phogat stood on the weighing scale which showed she was 100 grams under the weight limit. She proceeded to first beat Yui Sasaki, which set the tone for the rest of her day. A little while later, that adrenaline from beating the world’s best helped her beat Oksana Livach in a closely fought bout to book her place in the semifinals.
After more than seven hours of much needed rest, she returned. The adrenaline and momentum pushing her forward, she dominated Yusneylys Guzman without conceding a point. After that victory, she needed to regain her strength, which led her to consume a juice and a lot of water.
Phogat generally competes in the 53 kg category and naturally weighs around 57 kgs. She was forced to battle in the lowest weight class as Antim Panghal had qualified in the 53kg category from her nation. Therefore, she was already faced with losing a lot more weight than she usually does.
On top of that, she had to lose more around 2.7 kgs she gained after consuming all those liquids and snacks. After all, she cannot go into the next bout without regaining her strength. But then started the fight to shed all that weight.
She immediately went to work as she tried skipping, cycling, six hours on the treadmill, three in a sauna, all to get back under the legal weight. She even cut her hair, shortened her outfit, even reportedly tried to draw out blood. However, it was all in vain as she tipped the scales 100 grams over the 50 kg limit. That led to an immediate disqualification.
Vinesh Phogat and her fight against the world
As per the rules laid down by the United World Wrestling, the governing body of the sport, failure to comply with the weight limits leads to an immediate disqualification. It is not that wrestlers or their teams do not know those rules. It was just that this was a fight which Vinesh Phogat was desperately trying to win, but eventually failed.
That said, it should not take away from the fact that she beat her opponents until her disqualification. Not only was she under the weight limit, but she also won against the best of the best. Now, the wrestling world, watching everything unfold, rallied their support around the 29-year-old. The close to 1.5 billion Indians have thrown their support behind Phogat. So did 6-time world champion Jordan Burroughs, asking the IOC to award the Indian a joint silver for at least defeating all her opponents.
Phogat, along with the Indian Olympic Association, have lodged a protest with the UWW as well as the Court of Arbitration for Sport. She is seeking to get some form of justice after convincingly being one of the best wrestlers at the Paris Olympics.
A fighter, both on and off the mat, she has taken the stand whenever the need arises—just like how she went head on with her government back in early 2023. It was a situation where she and fellow wrestlers asked the removal of then Wrestling Federation of India head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh after allegations of sexual harassment from coaches and staff. Eventually she won that fight.
The aftermath of a brilliant career falling short
After all those fights for her rights and competing against some of the best in the world, Vinesh Phogat has retired. Her emotions stemming from this disqualification might have something to do with the decision, given she has been wrestling for more than two decades.
As a part of the Phogat wrestling family, wrestling is in her blood, heart, brain, whatever it may be. But it seems she has now given up. She has stated that she does not have it in her to compete in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. But it seems she needs time to gather her emotions. Anyone who faces such an exit would definitely be heartbroken.
However, wrestlers can extend their careers into their 30s. With some time off from the sport and a bit of motivation from those who are close to her, she could return in four years, hopefully in her correct weight class.
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Joseph Varghese
(2309 Articles Published)