India’s ace grappler Vinesh Phogat was on the verge of achieving ultimate glory at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games but has now been disqualified from the competition entirely. Competing in the 50kg freestyle wrestling category, Vinesh was found to be over the weight limit for her event. Typically competing in the 53kg category, she had reduced her weight to 50kg for the Paris Olympics. However, on the second day of her weigh-in, she was found to be overweight by a mere 100 grams.
Vinesh reportedly did everything possible to meet the required weight, including skipping meals and running, and she stayed up all night in the hope of falling under the weight category. Indian officials even requested more time from the Olympic committee, but their efforts were in vain.
Earlier, Vinesh had made history as the first Indian woman to reach the final of a wrestling event in the Olympic Games. However, fate had other plans. An Indian coach revealed that Vinesh was overweight by just 100 grams on Wednesday morning. Despite the small margin, the rules did not permit any exceptions.
“She was found overweight by 100 grams this morning. The rules do not allow this, and she has been disqualified,” said an Indian coach. As a result of her disqualification, Vinesh will not win any medal in the Paris Games, returning home empty-handed despite being assured of a silver.
Vinesh’s first bout in the Paris Games was against Japanese wrestler Yui Susaki, a four-time world and Olympic champion who had never lost a bout in her international career. Despite the odds, Vinesh’s struggles off the field fueled her performance, leading to one of the biggest upsets the Games have ever seen.
After defeating Susaki, Vinesh secured a berth in the semifinals by overcoming Oksana Livach of Ukraine, bringing tears of joy to her eyes. In the semifinals, she outmuscled Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final.
But on Tuesday morning, the dreams of Vinesh and 1.4 billion Indians were shattered.