Heartbreak for Vinesh Phogat and India: Disqualified from Olympic Finals Due to Weight

Parish, 7th August 2024: India’s top wrestler, Vinesh Phogat, faced a major setback at the Paris Olympic Games 2024, where she was disqualified from the 50kg freestyle wrestling category. Despite her usual competition weight being 53kg, Vinesh reduced her weight to 50kg for the Olympics. However, on the second day of weigh-ins, she was found to be over the limit by a mere 100 grams.

Vinesh made significant efforts to meet the required weight, including skipping meals and running. She even stayed awake all night in hopes of falling within the weight category. Indian officials sought extra time from the Olympic committee, but their requests were denied.

Previously, Vinesh had made history by being the first Indian woman to reach the finals of an Olympic wrestling event. However, her journey took an unexpected turn. The Indian coach confirmed that Vinesh exceeded the weight limit by just 100 grams, which led to her disqualification, as the rules are strict with no exceptions.

“She was found overweight by 100 grams this morning. The rules do not allow this and she has been disqualified,” stated an Indian coach.

Due to her disqualification, Vinesh will not be able to win any medal at the Paris Games. Although she was in line for a silver medal, she will now return home empty-handed.

Vinesh’s initial match in the Paris Games was against Japanese wrestler Yui Susaki, an undefeated four-time world Olympic champion. Defying the odds, Vinesh executed a perfect game plan and defeated the reigning champion in a significant upset.

She then defeated Ukraine’s Oksana Livach to advance to the semifinals of the women’s 50kg freestyle event, where she outperformed Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez to secure a spot in the final, becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to achieve this feat.

However, on Tuesday morning, the aspirations of Vinesh and her 1.4 billion supporters were dashed.