Indian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Gets Disqualified from Olympics Due to Weight Issues

In a twist of events, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the women's 50kg wrestling final at the Paris Olympics as she was just 100 grams over the permissible weight limit.

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

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

She was within weight limits for Tuesday’s wrestling match, however, as per rules, wrestlers have to meet the weight criteria for both the events.

Vinesh Phogath, would have made history if she had entered the women’s freestyle 50 kg wrestling final, at the Paris Olympic Games 2024.

She beat Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman by 5-0 on Tuesday.

She would have become the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for the finals at the Olympic games.

Earlier, the wrestler was on a phone call with her mother and family after her win. The thrilled sportswoman gave them a thumbs up, blew flying kisses, and shouted ‘Gold Lana Hai’ (I will bring gold).

Phogat’s family looked visibly happy at their daughter’s previous win.

Previously, Phogat beat the world number. 1 Yui Susaki in the opening game by a 3-2 win, Oksana Livach in the quarters, before defeating Yusneylys Guzman to enter the finals. However, her weight issues will prevent her from entering finals. She was set to face Sarah Hildebrandt in the finals who will ultimately be awarded the gold while Phogat will have to leave the competition.

Phogath was in the news recently when she staged a 18 month protest against WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. She told Bajrang Punia who supported her during the protest: “I am fighting for the future generation of wrestlers. Not for myself, my career is done and this is my last Olympics. I want to fight for the young women wrestlers who will come and fight for them so that they can wrestle safely. That's why I was in Jantar Mantar, and that's why I am here.”