(Image source from: IOA)
One more heart-wrenching moment for India. A for sure medal player walks out from the Olympics with disqualification. Wrestler Vinesh Phogat walks out from the Paris Olympics 2024. Vinesh Phogat was scheduled to play finals on Wednesday and for sure a medal match, if win it’s Gold for India and if loses it’s Silver for India. But sadly she weighed over 100 grams and was disqualified.
Vinesh Phogat was in the news yesterday after her straight win in the finals.
She fought against the Wrestling Federation in India for the suspension of chief Bhushan from the federation's alleged sexual harassment of women athletes. However the government was not in support of the wrestlers and the protests continued even at Jantar-mantar in National capital Delhi. She was detained and somehow started her matches in January.
Vinesh Phogat was contesting in women's 53 kg freestyle, but she lost her weight and started participating in an underweight competition. In the Paris Olympics 2024, she competed in women’s 50 kg freestyle wrestling. Vinesh did not sleep the whole night and was doing vigorous exercise the whole night to cut down her weight. But sadly when the time came, Vinesh weighed over 100 grams and was disqualified. Because of disqualification now she is not allowed to take any medal even after she reached the finals. She was eliminated on Tuesday night and failed to fight against USA’s Sarah Ann Hildebrandt on Wednesday.
President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) PT Usha met Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, in Paris, France
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2024
She was disqualified today from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg for being overweight.
(Pic source: IOA) pic.twitter.com/eKRCilr2lG
Any wrestler who is ready to take up the finals will have to make it on both days on weight checking. She failed the weight test on Tuesday and failed to participate in Wednesday's finals. Vinesh Phogat fainted because of dehydration after the disqualification and immediately shifted to the hospital. Indian officials have requested Olympics officials over reconsideration, but nothing worked out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded about Vinesh Phogats’ disqualification. He took his twitter and wrote, “Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today's setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing. At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you @Phogat_Vinesh”. Even though Vinesh fails and is disqualified and does not get any medal to the country, India is proud of her achievement.
Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2024
Today's setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing.
At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always…
