In a major update related to the Vinesh Phogat hearing, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced that Dr. Annabelle Bennett AC SC (AUS) will serve as the Sole Arbitrator for the hearing, which is scheduled to take place today.
According to the CAS media release, Vinesh Phogat initially sought an annulment of the Challenged Decision and requested a new weigh-in before the final match, as well as a declaration of her eligibility to participate in the final. However, she did not seek urgent interim measures. Although the CAS Ad hoc Division procedure is expedited, a decision on the merits could not be reached within an hour, as the Respondent, UWW, needed to be heard first.
Currently, the procedure is ongoing, and the Applicant has confirmed her request to annul the Challenged Decision and to be awarded a (shared) silver medal, states CAS release.
Meanwhile, the decision from the Sole Arbitrator is anticipated to be delivered before the conclusion of the Olympic Games.
Also Read: Harish Salve To Lead IOA’s Legal Defense In Vinesh Phogat’s CAS Hearing
Earlier, following her disqualification from the final, Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling in a heartfelt post on X, expressing feelings of defeat and gratitude in Hindi.
माँ कुश्ती मेरे से जीत गई मैं हार गई माफ़ करना आपका सपना मेरी हिम्मत सब टूट चुके इससे ज़्यादा ताक़त नहीं रही अब।
अलविदा कुश्ती 2001-2024 🙏
आप सबकी हमेशा ऋणी रहूँगी माफी 🙏🙏
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) August 7, 2024
Later following her announcement, Wrestling Federation of India President Sanjay Singh urged Phogat to reconsider her decision. Singh suggested that Phogat’s announcement appeared rushed and advised her to consult with her family, the Federation, and other sports officials upon her return to India.
(With Inputs From ANI)
