India's hopes of winning Gold medal in wrestling dashed as Vinesh Phogat faces disqualification in final

Just hours before final Wrestling round at Paris Olympics for 50 kg category, Vinesh Phogat, who scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout a day before, was disqualified for being overweight by 100gms on Aug 7.

The devastated 29-year-old athlete was admitted in a polyclinic inside the Games village due to severe dehydration earlier in the day.

"I met Vinesh at the Olympic Village Polyclinic a short while ago and assured her of complete support of the Indian Olympic Association, Government of India and the whole country. We are providing Vinesh all medical and emotional support," Indian Olympic Association President P T Usha said in a statement as quoted by news agency PTI.

"The Wrestling Federation of India has filed an appeal to United World Wrestling (UWW) to reconsider the decision to disqualify Vinesh and IOA is following that up in the strongest possible manner," she added.

Explaining the process of weight cut, contingent's Chief Medical Officer Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala said that every possible trick was used to ensure that Phogat could be within the prescribed limit.

"The process of weight cut involves a calculated restriction of food and water along with sweating from exercises and sauna till the morning weigh-in. This weight cut causes weakness and energy depletion, which is counter-productive to participation," he was quoted as saying.

"...for energy restoration, limited water and high energy foods are given after weigh-in. Vinesh's nutritionist had calculated this to be 1.5 kg. There sometimes is also a rebound weight gain following competition," he added.

"All possible drastic measures, including cutting off her hair, were used. However, she was not below her allowed weight of 50kg," he said.

In a severe blow to Phogat, the Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who was defeated by her in the semifinals, has replaced her in the final. According to international rules stipulate, any grappler found overweight at the time of weigh-in ends up at the bottom of the final standings.

"Vinesh failed second day weigh-in. According to the article 11 of the International Wrestling Rules, Vinesh will be replaced by the wrestler who lost against her in the Semifinal. Therefore Yusneylis Guzman Lopez will compete in the Final," the Paris Games organizing committee said in a statement.

"Repechage Yui Susaki vs Oksana Livach (Ukraine) will become Bronze Medal Match," it added.

Phogat is known for her resilience as she survived intimidation, police detention, and backlash over a protest that she was spearheading. A smear campaign was also launched against her to portray her in negative light.

In 2023, Phogat took to the streets to protest against alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers by the then Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Following her disqualification, several Indian sportspersons and political leaders have poured in their support while expressing disappointment at the Federation's decision.

Expressing his unwavering support to Phogat, BJP MP Dinesh Sharma said, “It was very sorrowful.” "She was a champion, is a champion, and will remain a champion for the people of India. It was unfortunate. There will be new efforts and new records will be made,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Congress urged the government to make all efforts to appeal against Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Olympics.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, hoped the Indian Olympic Association will appeal against this decision and expressed confidence that Phogat will come back stronger to the wrestling arena.

In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said, “It is unfortunate that Vinesh Phogat, India's pride, who reached the finals after defeating world champion wrestlers, was disqualified on technical grounds. We have full hope that the Indian Olympic Association will strongly challenge this decision and provide justice to the daughter of the country.”

"Vinesh is not one to give up, we are confident that she will come back stronger to the wrestling arena. You have always made the country proud Vinesh. Even today the whole country stands with you as your strength," the former Congress chief said.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also hailed Phogat for "giving strength to millions of dreams" with her "incredible journey" and expressed confidence that she will come back even stronger.

"I have seen your courage, hard work and dedication. You were fighting for the dreams of millions of girls of the country in the Olympic arena. Your brilliant game has given wings to the dreams of millions of girls who come from small towns, struggle with all the challenges, fight the system, defeat adverse circumstances and aspire to reach big stages. Your brilliant game filled the entire country with pride," Priyanka Gandhi said in a post on X.

Congress MP Selja raised questions about the team management, saying, “Managers are there, it is their job. All our athletes and sportspersons go there, and every little thing of theirs is monitored."

"Their diet is watched over, what they are drinking, what they are eating, the type of food they are consuming. So, what was the reason this girl's weight increased? Who didn't pay attention? This has to be answered," she said.

"We were hoping since morning that this girl would bring home the Olympic gold medal, who has struggled on the streets, and today, this has happened to her. Why did it happen? How did it happen?" the Congress leader asked.

"While we all share her disappointment at the disqualification, she remains a champion in the hearts of 1.4 billion people," President Droupadi Murmu said while commenting on Phogat's disqualification.

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar also expressed his disappointment and said that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as well as the Indian government must do everything possible to address this.

"I think it's (the) most unfortunate. I also think it's (the) most unfair. I do hope that the authorities will take notice of it, take a strong response to this because this is not just the initial round," he said.

"We're talking about the world medal round and therefore this cannot and should not be taken lying down by anybody in India whether it's the Indian Olympic Association or the government of India," Gavaskar said.

(With inputs from PTI)