iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
In what will be a major heartbreak for Indian wrestling, Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the women’s 50kg event at the Paris Olympics after being weighed “few grams over” the permissible limits on Wednesday morning.
“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,” the Indian Olympic Association said.
Moreover, the Indian grappler will be placed last as per UWW rules.
Vinesh, on Tuesday, became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the final of an Olympic Games after she defeated Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman 5-0 in the semifinal.
She started her campaign by stunning world No. 1, Japan’s four-time World Champion and Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Yui Susaki, who was undefeated in 95 international matches, in her entire career as a wrestler.
Vinesh then advanced to her maiden semifinals after beating Ukraine’s Oksana Vasylivna Livach 7-5 in her second bout of the day.
A former World No.1 in 48kg, Vinesh was participating in her third Olympics. She missed out on a medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics because of an injury. She lost to Vanesa Kaladzinskaya in the 53kg quarterfinals in the Tokyo Olympics.
Vinesh is also the first Indian woman to have won gold at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games. Guzman will now replace Vinesh in the finals.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha to seek first hand information on Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification.
The Prime Minister also sought the options India has and asked the IOA chief to explore the full range of options to help Vinesh’s case. He also urged PT Usha to file a strong protest regarding the disqualification, if that helps the wrestler.
The Prime Minister also took to X to post a heartfelt tribute to Vinesh.
“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,” Modi said.