In a devastating turn of events, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg category at the Paris Olympics. Despite a valiant effort, Phogat, who was a strong contender for the gold, was found to be 100 grams over the permissible weight limit on the morning of her crucial bout.
This disqualification not only eliminates her chance of winning the gold but also means that the 50kg category will now feature only a gold and bronze medal winner.
Vinesh Phogat’s journey to the final was nothing short of extraordinary. The wrestler, who had previously competed in the 53kg category, successfully transitioned to the 50kg weight class, showcasing her exceptional skill and determination.
However, the excitement turned to despair on the morning of her final match. Vinesh Phogat, despite her rigorous efforts to meet the weight requirement, was found to be slightly overweight. The rules of the competition are strict, requiring wrestlers to be within their weight category on both days of the competition. Phogat had made the weight for her bouts on Tuesday but struggled to meet the limit the following day.
Who is Vinesh Phogat?
Vinesh Phogat is an accomplished Indian professional wrestler. Born on August 25, 1994, she hails from Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, India. Vinesh Phogat is the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold medals at both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.
Vinesh comes from a family of medal-winning wrestlers. Her cousins include international wrestlers and Commonwealth Games medalists. She is the daughter of wrestler Rajpal Phogat and the cousin of wrestlers Geeta and Babita.
Despite the Olympic setback, Vinesh Phogat remains a trailblazer in Indian wrestling, inspiring many with her achievements and resilience.
