Paris Olympics: India’s Vinesh Phogat disqualified from Olympics final for being overweight

In a heartbreaking twist of fate, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics after failing to make weight for her 50 kg gold medal bout.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) confirmed the news in a statement, explaining that despite the team’s best efforts, Phogat weighed in a few grams over the 50 kg limit on the morning of the final match.

“It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class,” the IOA said.

“Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand.”

Sources revealed that Phogat was roughly 100 grams over the permissible limit, leading to her disqualification.

According to competition rules, Phogat will not be eligible even for a silver medal, leaving only gold and bronze medal winners in the 50 kg category.

This is not the first time Phogat has struggled to make weight in the 50 kg category, which is lower than her usual 53 kg class. She faced a similar challenge during the Olympic qualifiers, narrowly making the cut.

On Tuesday, August6 2024, Phogat made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the final of the Olympics.

She defeated world number 1 Yui Susaki of Japan and secured two more wins against wrestlers from Ukraine and Cuba to reach the gold medal bout.

Phogat was scheduled to face Sarah Hildebrandt in the final, a wrestler against whom she has a favorable head-to-head record. However, due to the disqualification, Hildebrandt will be awarded the gold medal, and Phogat will return home empty-handed.