Vinesh Phogat isn’t going down fighting. The wrestler, who was disqualified from his final bout at the Paris Olympics, has decided to file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). After winning her semifinal bout on July 6 against Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzmán, the pugilist wasn’t allowed to compete after she missed her weight by just 100 grams early in the day on July 7.
Vinesh Phogat wants silver
Phogat has requested that she be allowed to contest the gold medal match in the 50kg weight class, but given that USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt already won the final bout just a few hours ago, that’s highly unlikely to happen. However, she’s also asked that she receive a joint silver medal. Vinesh had beaten Guzmán 5-0 in the semifinal, and CAS will decide whether the Indian wrestler should be given a joint silver medal with the Cuban wrestler. The verdict is expected to come later today (August 8).
For the unaware, the CAS is an independent organization that was established in 1984. They act as arbitrators or mediators to settle sports disputes.
WFI unhappy with IOC
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had appealed to the United World Wrestling (UWW) about Phogat’s disqualification. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President, PT Usha, had met up with members of both governing bodies in the Village, but nothing has come out of it yet.
“WFI is looking after the legal procedure. PT Usha has reached the games village; we will have a discussion and decide how to protest against the IOC and UWW,” WFI President Sanjay Singh said yesterday.
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