Hair Cut To Losing Blood: Account Of Vinesh's Sleepless Night As India Wakes Upto Heartbreak

Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Women's 50KG category in Women's Wrestling after being found overweight by 100 gms during the weigh-ins on Wednesday. This was a shock for India as Vinesh Phogat was a top prospect for the country to get the coveted gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Vinesh had a gold medal match against USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt later in the day. It is even more heartbreaking for the wrestler as she will return without a medal from Paris due to the rules. 

Vinesh was guaranteed a silver medal after reaching the final but due to her inability to be under the weight limit, she was disqualified and will be ranked last at the event. Yuznelys Guzman, the Cuban wrestler, who Vinesh beat in the semi-finals, will replace her in the final bout. It was a forgetful night for the Indian contingent in Paris as they tried everything possible to get Vinesh within 50-Kg mark. Vinesh was made to cycle 8 km, do skipping and jogging to shed the extra weight she gained overnight. However, when it came to the weighing machine, Vinesh logged 50.100 grams, dashing India's hopes in Paris, 

Also Read: Vinesh Phogat's First Photo After Disqualification Surfaces

Vinesh Phogat's team goes the distance to ensure her weight was under the limit for the Final bout

Vinesh was nearly 100 grams overweight during her morning weigh-in, which prompted the officials to disqualify her before the medal match. This came as a shock to many in India but the entire Indian coaching staff in Paris worked relentlessly overnight to help Vinesh Phogat cut weight. 

The entire coaching and support staff of Vinesh Phogat had been trying their best to help the wrestler shed weight for the morning weigh-in. According to reports, the athlete, her coaches, and her support staff went without food or water for an entire night. They undertook drastic measures like chopping her hair and trying to draw out blood but their attempts failed and did not produce the desired results, as reported by Sportstar.

It was further stated that when Vinesh Phogat was weighed at 07:15 AM local time, she weighed just 100 gm more than the stipulated 50kg weight limit. Prior to her first-round fight on Tuesday morning, her weight was 49.90 kg. But by the time of the semifinal, which took place that same day, she weighed about 52.7 kg.

Also Read: Vinesh, You Are Champion Among Champions, Come Back Stronger: PM Modi

Given that Vinesh did not make the cut, she will not be eligible to compete for the gold or silver medals because of her disqualification. She is not going to be able to participate. It came as a major setback for the Indian team because Vinesh was one of their best hopes for a gold medal in Paris. She was a few grams over the permitted weight limit, which meant she forfeited the opportunity to win the gold. But the IOA is looking to appeal against the situation, and it is yet to be ascertained what will happen next.