Vinesh Phogat: Is There Any Possibility of Sabotage at Paris Olympics? Indian Hockey Legend Answers

Renowned Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat announced that she is quitting sport. This choice came after she was disqualified from 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris in women's 50 kg freestyle event's final. Her Olympic hopes were crushed when she went over weight limit by 100g during final weigh-in, even though she h me it to final and was promised a medal. Vinesh used internet platform "X" to talk about her decision to walk away from sport on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Vinesh Phogat: 

“Ma Kusti (Wrestling) won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage has been broken. I don't have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024,”

Her disqualification was a key turning point in her career. Vinesh achieved history as first Indian woman wrestler to reach gold medal round in Paris Olympics. This was not first time that she me nation proud. She also me history at Asian Games in 2018, becoming first Indian female wrestler to win a gold medal. However, on August 7, 2024, she was disqualified for being overweight before her final match against American Sarah Hildebrandt, who went on to win gold medal on August 8, 2024.

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Indian Hockey Legend Viren Rasquinha answers some of major questions regarding Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from Paris Olympics 2024

Indian hockey great Viren Rasquinha discusses fallout from Vinesh Phogat's Paris Olympic disqualification. Though Vinesh's career h a turning point when she exceeded weight limit by 100g, her historical successes as first Indian woman wrestler to reach gold medal round were noteworthy.  Viren Rasquinsha me a huge statement on X, answering 10 big questions regarding Vinesh Phogat’s incident. Let’s take a look at his verdicts: 

Dear friends,

I am making this statement in my personal capacity.

As per rules of UWW, Vinesh Phogat h to make weight on 2 days of her 50 kgs women's wrestling category at Paris Olympics if she reached final or was eligible for repechage. 

She me weight as per rules within 50 kgs on morning of 6th August.

Generally, post morning weigh in, wrestlers have a recovery meal to regain strength and your weight immediately bounces back by 2-3 kgs depending on your regular weight. Vinesh's regular weight is 55 kgs.

On 6th August evening after semi-final, Vinesh weighed in at 52.7 kgs. Post semi-final, she did not have any water or food and immediately started on plan for losing weight for next day's weigh in which was scheduled from 7.15am to 7.30am Paris time. She and team did everything possible steam, sauna, static cycling, running, gym etc. unfortunately she missed weight by 100 gms.

I try to answers a few questions that I am being asked continuously:

1. Why is Vinesh fighting in 50 kgs weight category when her normal weight is 55kgs?

Almost all wrestlers world over fight in a weight category 3-4 kgs below ir normal weight. 

Vinesh was wrestling in 53 kgs weight category for last 5-6 years. She h an ACL Surgery on 17th Aug 2023 and during rehab period, Antim Panghal won quota for India in 53 kgs weight category. A country can only send one wrestler per Olympic category if y seal a quota. Post her return to play, Vinesh would have ideally liked to compete in 53kg category itself, which was her regular weight category. Vinesh requested for transparency on trial dates. However, re was no clarity on same. So, she decided to go in 50kg category and won quota in Olympic qualifiers. As you all saw, her choice was right and she did so well in this weight beating Olympic and World Champion Susaki of Japan and two or wrestlers to make it to final.

2. Why give weight on 2 days?

This is as per UWW Rules. You have to weigh within your weight category on both days.

3. If Vinesh me weight on day 1, what was problem on day 2?

When Vinesh me weight on day 1, she h to have a planned recovery meal post weigh in to regain some strength. Her weight bounced to 52.7 due to rehydration (even with a very tinymeal). This is also because weight loss is mainly by dehydration. So, challenge was to now lose that 2.7 kgs until 7.15am next morning (about 12 hours). Her semi-final final bout got over around 7pm Paris time.

4. Could Vinesh and team have done anything more? Could y have planned weight management better?

team did everything possible. You cannot practice this in vance as constant weight control for wrestlers puts ir health at severe risk and hampers training which is better at an optimum weight as per medical vice. Vinesh and team did everything possible to try and make weight on day 2. doctor, nutritionist, coach, CMO, CDM and everyone was with her throughout night. She did not sleep even for 1 minute all night. She pushed herself to limits to make weight. Unfortunately, she just missed mark.

5. Is re any possibility of sabotage?

Zero chance

6. Is re any possibility of appeal by IOA?

That is for IOA to take it up with higher authorities

7. Is re any possibility of legal remedy?

We are exploring those options but can't say as of now as I am not an expert on this.

8. Was it an option to not go for weigh in and say that she was injured?

Not an option. A player cannot declare herself unfit or sick. This has to be certified by tournament doctor. If player misses weigh in, n player gets disqualified.

9. Could we have asked for more time since it was only a matter of 100 grams?

CMO, CDM strongly requested officials for this but no leeway was given in this regard.

10. Couldn't Vinesh have cut off her hair?

She did cut off her hair in morning before weigh in.