Finance
The Indian contingent was taken shocked when wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was on her way to becoming the country’s first female wrestler to reach the Olympics final after defeating World and Olympic 50kg champion Yui Susaki on Tuesday night, was eliminated for being overweight ahead of her final bout against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States on Wednesday.
Informing about the disqualification, the Indian Olympic Association released a statement that read, “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 statement further read.
Vinesh, who was set to compete for the gold medal, got qualified despite being a few grams overweight on the morning of her bout. Vinesh was qualified to compete on Day 1 after meeting the weight requirements. However, under the regulations, a wrestler must meet the weight limit on both days.
If the wrestler is determined to be overweight, they have 25 minutes to lose it by cycling, running, sauna, and other activities. It has been discovered that Vinesh did not sleep all night and did not eat anything.
Vinesh’s disqualification means she will not even be able to win silver. Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States will win the gold medal, defeating Vinesh in the final.
In actuality, there will be no silver medal in the Women’s 50 kg event. In this circumstance, one gold and two bronze medals will be given. One bronze medal will be awarded to one of the wrestlers who lost her semi-finals match, and the other to the wrestler who wins the repechage round.
