PARIS: It usually never happens in professional sports. But in Vinesh Phogat’s case, it has happened. She was found 100g overweight and has been disqualified after the weigh in on the morning of her gold medal bout. As per the rules, she has to be within the weight (50kgs, her weight class) on both days of the competition.
India coach Virender Singh Dahiya confirmed the development. On Tuesday morning, her weight was at par but after the bout she was a tad overweight. She did cycling, skipping and whatever she could to reduce her weight. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) tried their bit and protested but as of now, those protests have not mattered. Even if there is no medal, she has won the hearts of a billion people.
The official statement was as follows:
“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.
She was about 1-1.5kg overweight last night. She did not sleep and was trying to reduce her weight as much as possible. In the morning she was about 100gm overweight and by the time she went for her weigh-in, she was 50gm overweight. The Indian contingent officials asked for time but time was up and the United World Wrestling could do nothing. The wrestler is weighed every day before their bouts. She has come down from 53kg to compete here. It’s simply bizarre how a medal she was confirmed of, slipped away.
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