Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics after failing to meet the weight requirement for her 50 kg gold medal match. The Indian Olympic Association announced, “We regret to inform you that Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class. Despite the team’s efforts overnight, she was slightly over the 50kg limit this morning. No further comments will be made at this time. We ask for respect for Vinesh’s privacy and hope to focus on the ongoing competitions.”
Wrestlers must weigh in on the morning of their matches. Each weight class competes over two days, so wrestlers advancing to the finals or repechage must meet the weight limit on both days.
Wrestlers have 30 minutes to achieve the required weight during the first weigh-in. They can weigh themselves multiple times during this period. Wrestlers are weighed in their singlets and must also undergo health checks to ensure they are free from contagious diseases and have short fingernails. For those competing on the second day, the weigh-in lasts just 15 minutes.
More About Vinesh Phogat
Vinesh Phogat who has faced numerous controversies over the past year, started strong at the Paris Olympics. She defeated Japan’s reigning world champion Yui Susaki in the first round of the Women’s 50kg Freestyle event. This victory was notable as it marked Susaki’s first international loss having previously gone undefeated since the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Phogat continued her impressive performance by defeating Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals of the 50kg Women’s Freestyle event. She skillfully outperformed Livach with a score of 7-5, earning a place in the semifinals. On the same day, Phogat secured her spot in the final by overcoming Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez.
Despite this strong performance, Phogat’s journey at the Olympics ended abruptly due to the disqualification.
