Vinesh Phogat Disqualified From Paris Olympics: Why Weight is So Important and How It Leads to Disqualification?

In a surprising development, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics for failing to meet the weight requirement for the 50 kg category. Reports indicate that Phogat was over the allowable limit by just 100 grams. As a result, she is not eligible for a silver medal, leaving only the gold and bronze medal winners in the 50 kg category.

The Indian Olympic Association issued a statement expressing regret over Phogat’s disqualification from the Women’s Wrestling 50 kg class. Despite efforts to reduce her weight overnight, she weighed in slightly over the limit. The association requested respect for Vinesh’s privacy and mentioned that no further comments would be provided at this time.

Phogat had successfully made weight for her bouts on Tuesday but needed to stay within the weight limit on both competition days. Sources revealed she was about 2 kilograms overweight on Tuesday night. Despite efforts including jogging, skipping, and cycling, she couldn’t shed the final 100 grams. The Indian team’s request for additional time to meet the weight criteria was denied.

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), founded in 1905, is the global authority for the sport of weightlifting. It organizes the world championships for both men and women annually, with the exception of Olympic years. Despite the seemingly straightforward name, weightlifting involves a complex set of rules and techniques that determine the winner beyond just lifting the heaviest weight.

The Nature of the Sport

Weightlifting is a captivating sport that exemplifies human strength and courage. Unlike what the name suggests, the competition is not merely about lifting the heaviest weights. Instead, it demands a combination of strength, precision, and technique. Weightlifters often lift weights that are twice or even three times their body weight, making the sport both challenging and exhilarating. A single mistake in technique can lead to serious injuries.

Historical Background

Weightlifting has a rich history, with roots tracing back to Africa, South Asia, and ancient Greece. The modern form of the sport began to evolve in the 19th century. The IWF, established in 1905, has been instrumental in shaping the sport’s global framework. The sport was included in the inaugural 1896 Olympics in Athens as part of track and field athletics, featuring both one-hand and two-hand lifting events. Great Britain’s Lauceston Elliot and Denmark’s Viggo Jensen were the first champions in these categories.

After being absent from the 1904, 1908, and 1912 Olympics, weightlifting returned in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium, and has been featured in every Games since, except for a brief hiatus in the 1924 Paris Olympics where the one-hand event was discontinued. The clean and press, snatch, and clean and jerk events were initially part of the competition, but the clean and press was dropped after the 1972 Munich Olympics due to difficulties in judging.

Modern Competition Rules

In modern Olympic weightlifting, the competition is divided into two events: the snatch and the clean and jerk.

• Snatch: The lifter must lift the barbell from the ground to overhead in a single, continuous motion.
• Clean and Jerk: This event involves two stages. The lifter first brings the barbell to their chest (clean) and then lifts it overhead (jerk) with extended arms and legs. The lift must be held until the buzzer sounds.

Lifters are allowed three attempts for each event. The total combined weight from the best attempts in both the snatch and clean and jerk determines the winner. In the case of a tie, the lifter with the lower body weight is declared the winner. If body weights are the same, the lifter with fewer attempts wins.

Lifters may increase the weight for subsequent attempts if they are successful. The lifter who opts for the lowest initial weight attempts first and must complete the lift within one minute of being called.

Equipment and Techniques

The barbell used in weightlifting is made of steel, with rubber-coated weights on the sides. Lifters often use tape on their wrists and thumbs for protection and apply chalk to their hands to prevent slipping.

Olympic Weightlifting Records

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, new records were established following the reclassification of weight categories. Records are recognized only if they exceed the pre-set Olympic Standards. Here are some notable records:

Men’s Weightlifting Records

• 61kg: Snatch – 142kg (Standard), Clean & Jerk – 172kg (Li Fabin, CHN), Total – 313kg (Li Fabin, CHN)
• 67kg: Snatch – 151kg (Standard), Clean & Jerk – 187kg (Chen Lijun, CHN), Total – 332kg (Chen Lijun, CHN)
• 73kg: Snatch – 166kg (Shi Zhiyong, CHN), Clean & Jerk – 198kg (Shi Zhiyong, CHN), Total – 364kg (Shi Zhiyong, CHN)
• 81kg: Snatch – 170kg (Li Xiaojun, CHN), Clean & Jerk – 204kg (Li Xiaojun, CHN), Total – 374kg (Li Xiaojun, CHN)
• 96kg: Snatch – 183kg (Standard), Clean & Jerk – 225kg (Fares El-Bakh, QAT), Total – 402kg (Fares El-Bakh, QAT)
• 109kg: Snatch – 195kg (Simon Martirosyan, ARM), Clean & Jerk – 225kg (Akbar Djuraev, UZB), Total – 430kg (Akbar Djuraev, UZB)
• +109kg: Snatch – 223kg (Lasha Talakhadze, GEO), Clean & Jerk – 265kg (Lasha Talakhadze, GEO), Total – 488kg (Lasha Talakhadze, GEO)

Women’s Weightlifting Records

• 49kg: Snatch – 94kg (Hou Zhihui, CHN), Clean & Jerk – 116kg (Hou Zhihui, CHN), Total – 210kg (Hou Zhihui, CHN)
• 55kg: Snatch – 98kg (Muattar Nabieva, UZB), Clean & Jerk – 127kg (Hidilyn Diaz, PHI), Total – 224kg (Hidilyn Diaz, PHI)
• 59kg: Snatch – 103kg (Kuo Hsing-chun, TPE), Clean & Jerk – 133kg (Kuo Hsing-chun, TPE), Total – 236kg (Kuo Hsing-chun, TPE)
• 64kg: Snatch – 108kg (Standard), Clean & Jerk – 134kg (Standard), Total – 242kg (Standard)
• 76kg: Snatch – 121kg (Standard), Clean & Jerk – 149kg (Standard), Total – 270kg (Standard)
• 87kg: Snatch – 130kg (Standard), Clean & Jerk – 159kg (Standard), Total – 289kg (Standard)
• +87kg: Snatch – 140kg (Li Wenwen, CHN), Clean & Jerk – 180kg (Li Wenwen, CHN), Total – 320kg (Li Wenwen, CHN)

Weightlifting is more than just a test of strength; it is a blend of skill, technique, and physical prowess that continues to captivate audiences and inspire athletes worldwide.

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