Mary Kom Expresses Disappointment Over Vinesh Phogat’s Weight Management Issues at Paris 2024
New Delhi, 4th October 2024: Vinesh Phogat captured significant attention during the recently held Paris Olympics 2024. With Antim Panghal placed in her original weight category, Vinesh opted to drop down to 50 kg to secure her spot for the Games.
Having earned two bronze medals at the World Championships, three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, and numerous accolades at the Asian Games and Asian Championships, an Olympic medal remained elusive for Vinesh.
In her opening match, she faced defending champion Yui Susaki, who had been undefeated since 2010, with only three losses to the same opponent in that timeframe. Susaki had also won gold at the Tokyo Olympics without conceding a point.
Facing a 0-2 deficit with less than 40 seconds left, Vinesh achieved a stunning comeback, winning 3-2 and was visibly emotional. She continued her success with a victory over Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarter-finals and then triumphed against Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman in the semi-finals.
However, before her final match, she was disqualified for being 100 grams over the weight limit during the weigh-in.
Commenting on the situation, legendary boxer and Olympic bronze medalist Mary Kom expressed her disappointment, emphasizing that managing weight is an athlete’s responsibility. She remarked, “I felt so disappointed because I have done the same (weight management) for many years. Weight is crucial, and it is my responsibility. I can’t place blame on anyone else.”
Mary Kom added, “I am speaking about my experience. If I don’t manage my weight properly, how can I compete? My goal is to win a medal, and that’s how I approach it.”
Vinesh appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but the decision was not in her favour. The CAS ruling highlighted, “The issue for the athlete is that the rules are explicit regarding the weight limit, which applies uniformly to all competitors. There is no tolerance; it is a strict upper limit. It is entirely the athlete’s responsibility to ensure they stay within this limit.”
