In a startling turn of events, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Olympics on Wednesday for being overweight just before her women’s 50kg final, leaving her without a medal after coming so close to an unprecedented gold. To meet the weight requirement, she took drastic measures such as skipping meals and reducing her water intake, leading to severe dehydration that required medical attention, according to reports. Currently, Vinesh is in the Olympic Village’s polyclinic, where she is reported to be stable and resting.
Vinesh Phogat made history on Tuesday night by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout in her event. However, she now returns empty-handed due to disqualification after being found 100 grams overweight during the weigh-in. Before this morning, she was guaranteed at least a silver medal.
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An Indian coach explained, “She was found overweight by 100 grams this morning. The regulations are strict, and she has been disqualified.”
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) later confirmed the news and requested privacy for Vinesh, who was competing in her third Olympics. The IOA stated, “It is with regret that we announce the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the women’s 50kg wrestling class. Despite the team’s best efforts overnight, she weighed slightly over 50kg this morning.”
The IOA added, “No further comments will be made at this time. We request that Vinesh’s privacy be respected as the team focuses on the ongoing competitions.”
International rules dictate that any wrestler found overweight at weigh-in is placed at the bottom of the final standings.
Vinesh had achieved a notable victory over defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan on Tuesday, and was set to face American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt in the final. Her disqualification follows a similar weight-related issue for Italy’s Emanuela Liuzzi, who was also disqualified from her preliminary bout for being overweight.
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