Why Vinesh Phogat Disqualified In Paris Olympic 2024?

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics after failing to meet weight requirement for her 50 kg gold medal. As per the report, Phogat was reportedly over the permissible weight limit by just 100 grams, which may lead to her disqualification. According to competition rules, she will not be eligible for a silver medal, leaving only gold and bronze winners in the 50 kg category.

Roughly 100 grams over the permissible limits

Sources said the wrestler was roughly 100 grams over the permissible limits, which could lead to her disqualification.

What is the competition rule?

• According to competition rules, Phogat will not be eligible even for a silver medal and the 50 kg will have just gold and bronze medal winners.
• As per rule, wrestlers have to stay within their weight category on both days of the competition.

What are the United World Wrestling (UWW) rules?

According to UWW, if an athlete does not attend or fail the weigh-in (the 1st or the 2nd weigh-in), he or she will be eliminated of the competition and ranked last, without rank (Exception: cf. Article 56 – Medical Service Intervention).

How does the weigh-in work for Olympic wrestling?

• Weigh-ins take place in the morning for any wrestlers competing that day. The tournament for each weight class will be contested over a two-day span, so any wrestlers that make the finals or the repechage will have to make weight on both days.
• During the first weigh-in, wrestlers will have 30 minutes to make weight. They have the right to get on the scale as many times as they wish. Contestants are weighed with their singlets, but nothing else.
• Athletes will also be examined to make sure they have no signs of any contagious disease and that their fingernails are cut very short.
• For any wrestlers competing on the second day, the weigh-in will last 15 minutes.

Struggled to meet weight requirements

Vinesh Phogat had successfully made weight for Tuesday’s bouts but was required to stay within her weight category on both days of the competition. Sources indicate she was around 2 kilos overweight on Tuesday night. Despite spending the night jogging, skipping, and cycling, she could not shed the last 100 grams.

Historic Performance in Olympics 2024

On August 6, Phogat became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the final of the Olympics. She achieved significant victories, defeating world number 1 Yui Susaki of Japan and winning against competitors from Ukraine and Cuba.

Leave the competition without a medal

Phogat was set to face Sarah Hildebrandt in the final, a wrestler she has previously bested. However, due to the weight issue, Hildebrandt will be awarded the gold medal, and Phogat will leave the competition without a medal.

Who is Vinesh Phogat?

Vinesh Phogat an Indian professional wrestler and a three time Olympian from Haryana. She entered the final of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris and became the first Indian female wrestler to enter a gold medal bout. However, she was disqualified for being overweight by a 100 grams before her gold medal match.

Her Achievement

Earlier, she became the first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold at the Commonwealth and Asian Games. She is the only Indian woman wrestler to win multiple medals at the World Wrestling Championships. Phogat also became the first Indian athlete to be nominated for the Laureus World Sports Awards in 2019.