India's ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was on the verge of achieving ultimate glory at the Paris Olympic Games, now faces the devastating prospect of disqualification from the competition. Competing in the 50kg freestyle wrestling category, Vinesh is reportedly set to be disqualified after being found slightly over the weight limit for her event. Traditionally competing in the 53kg category, she had reduced her weight to 50kg for the Paris Olympics. Unfortunately, during the weigh-in on Day 2, she was found to exceed the desired weight.
Vinesh's efforts to meet the weight requirement were extensive. She reportedly skipped meals, engaged in rigorous exercise, and even sacrificed sleep the night before the weigh-in, hoping to fall within the acceptable weight range. Despite her relentless efforts, and the Indian officials' pleas for more time from the Olympic committee, the attempts proved futile.
Previously, Vinesh had made history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the final of a wrestling event at the Olympic Games. However, fate took a harsh turn. According to an Indian coach, Vinesh was found to be overweight by a mere 100 grams on Wednesday morning. Despite the small margin, the strict rules left no room for exceptions, resulting in her disqualification. "She was found overweight by 100 grams this morning. The rules do not allow this, and she has been disqualified," stated the coach. This disqualification means that Vinesh will return home without a medal from the Paris Games. She was previously assured of a silver medal, but her disqualification shattered those hopes, leaving her and her supporters heartbroken.
Indian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat disqualified from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg for being overweight.
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2024
It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through… pic.twitter.com/xYrhzA1A2U
Vinesh's journey in the Paris Games was nothing short of remarkable. In her first bout, she faced Japanese wrestler Yui Susaki, a four-time world Olympic champion who had never lost an international bout. Defying the odds, Vinesh executed a perfect game plan and stunned Susaki in one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history.
Following this, Vinesh defeated Ukraine's Oksana Livach to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the women's 50kg freestyle event. Her victory was marked by tears of joy, but she knew the battle wasn't over. In the semi-finals, she outmuscled Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, securing her place in the final and making her the first Indian woman wrestler to achieve this feat at the Olympics.
However, on Tuesday morning, the dreams of Vinesh and the hopes of 1.4 billion Indians were crushed by her disqualification. Despite her heroic performances and the promise of a historic medal, Vinesh's Olympic journey ended in heartbreak.
Image Source: Twitter