Paris Olympics 2024: Vinesh Phogat Disqualified From The Tournament Ahead Of The Wrestling Final

In a shocking turn of events, Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics on the day of her final match in the wrestling event. Phogat wrestled and qualified for the finals of the women’s 50 kg category on Tuesday. The Indian wrestler beat Japan’s Yu Sasaki in the ⅛ qualifiers and Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman 5-0 in the semifinals to become the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the finals of the Olympic games. The final clash was scheduled for Wednesday with Phogat termed as the favourite to clinch the gold. However, the wrestler was found overweight by 100 gms on the morning of the final leading to her disqualification from the tournament.

Vinesh Phogat Turns Up Overweight, Disqualified From Paris Olympics On The Wrestling Final Day

🚨 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…

— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) August 7, 2024

The wrestling events at the Olympic games span over 2 days and the participating wrestlers are weighed on both the days. On the day of her final, Phogat took the weighing test only to come out overweight by 100gms. Now, the 50 kg category will have no silver winner as Vinesh Phogat locked in the silver on Tuesday itself. With her disqualification, the 50 kg event will now feature only a gold medal and a bronze medal winner. Informing of the disqualification, the Indian Olympics Association released a statement, requesting for privacy of Phogat at this time.

“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 Statement read.

The Paris Olympics 2024 was Phogat’s first foray into the 50 kg category on contrary to the 53 kg category. The wrestler underwent a similar struggle during the Olympics qualifiers where she narrowly made the weight cut. During the Olympics event, the wrestlers are allowed to get on the weighing scales as many times as they desire. Sources have reported that Phogat tried everything in her power to fall back into the 50 kg category, not sleeping the entire night and jogging to reduce the extra grams but to no avail. The wrestler, reportedly, has been hospitalised now.