In the annals of Indian sports history, Vinesh Phogat’s story at the Paris 2024 Olympics will be remembered as one of tragic heartbreak. Just as Neeraj Chopra’s golden throw in Tokyo brought joy, Phogat’s disqualification due to a mere 100 grams will leave a scar in the memory of a billion Indians.
Moment of Disqualification for Vinesh Phogat
On what should have been the pinnacle of her career, Vinesh Phogat stepped onto the scales for her weigh-in before the gold medal bout in the 50 kg wrestling category on August 7.
To her horror, the scales read 50.1 kg—just 100 grams over the limit. According to the strict rules of the United World Wrestling (UWW), this led to her automatic disqualification, ending her dreams of Olympic glory.
Record-Breaking journey cut short
Vinesh Phogat had already made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout at the Olympics. Her journey was nothing short of spectacular, highlighted by her stunning victory over Yui Susaki of Japan, a previously undefeated world champion with an 82-0 record.
Efforts to overturn Disqualification
In the aftermath of her disqualification, the Indian team, along with Vinesh, made an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver medal.
Despite the heartfelt plea and support from various quarters, including Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha and the Wrestling Federation of India, the appeal did not result in a reversal of the decision.
Weight Cut Struggle for Vinesh Phogat
Vinesh Phogat’s preparation for the final had been marred by a challenging weight cut. Dropping from her usual 53 kg category to 50 kg required significant effort.
In the 12 hours between her semi-final victory and the weigh-in, she and her team used every possible measure to shed the necessary weight. Despite these efforts, including drastic measures like cutting her hair and shortening her vest, they fell short by a mere 100 grams.
PT Usha’s Support and Government response
PT Usha, a legendary athlete herself and now the IOA President, visited Vinesh at the Games Village polyclinic, where the wrestler was receiving treatment for severe dehydration. While Usha confirmed that Vinesh was physically fine, the disappointment was evident. The Indian government and sporting authorities rallied behind her, but the damage had been done.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consolation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his support for Vinesh, describing her as a “champion among champions” and urging her to come back stronger. His words of encouragement, though heartfelt, could not ease the pain of a missed opportunity on the world’s biggest stage.
Global Wrestling Body’s stand
Despite the outcry and efforts to support Vinesh, the UWW stood firm in its decision. UWW chief Nenad Lalovic stated that while he understood the emotions involved, the rules were clear, and nothing could be done to overturn the disqualification.
Debunking Conspiracy Theories
In the wake of the disqualification, conspiracy theories circulated, suggesting foul play or that Vinesh could have faked an injury to retain her silver medal. However, sports officials, including Adille Sumariwalla, president of the Athletics Federation of India, dismissed these claims, clarifying that the disqualification was a matter of technicality and not politics.
Aftermath: Investigation and Reflection
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) announced an investigation into the role of Vinesh’s support staff in the weigh-in failure. WFI President Sanjay Singh emphasised that while Vinesh was not at fault, her team must take responsibility for the outcome.
As India mourns the loss of what could have been a historic moment, the focus now shifts to learning from this incident and ensuring that future athletes are better prepared for such critical situations.
Appeal Rejected by CAS
On August 14, the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a shared silver medal from the Paris Olympics. Although the ruling was initially scheduled for August 16, the decision was made earlier. Following the verdict, Indian Olympic Committee President PT Usha expressed her dissatisfaction. The CAS’s decision upheld the original ruling by the International Olympic Committee and the United World Wrestling.
