Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the 50kg women’s wrestling category at the Paris Olympics for being just 100 grams over the permissible weight limit. The disqualification has sparked a wave of reactions, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepping in to offer his support and urge the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to take action.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for his proactive approach in supporting Indian athletes, responded swiftly to Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification. Taking to social media platform X , PM Modi expressed his deep disappointment and unwavering support for the wrestler. He wrote, “Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India’s pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today’s setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing. At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head-on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you.”
Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian.
Today's setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing.
At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2024
Demonstrating his commitment to addressing the issue, PM Modi personally reached out to PT Usha, the President of the Indian Olympic Association. During their conversation, the Prime Minister sought detailed information about the circumstances surrounding Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification. He expressed his concern and urged PT Usha to explore every possible option to challenge the decision.
PM Modi emphasised the need to leave no stone unturned in seeking justice for Vinesh Phogat. He instructed PT Usha to investigate all avenues for filing a protest against the disqualification. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of ensuring that the process is thorough and considers every possible recourse to support the athlete.
Vinesh Phogat, who has been a beacon of hope for Indian wrestling, faced disqualification after weighing 100 grams over the 50kg limit. Despite her relentless efforts, which included jogging and cycling through the night to shed the excess weight, she was unable to meet the stringent requirement.
As per Olympic rules, athletes must adhere strictly to the weight limits of their categories. Even a minor deviation, such as being a few grams over, results in automatic disqualification. For wrestlers, this entails weighing in both on the first day of competition and again on the day of the finals and repechage. While Vinesh successfully met the weight requirement on the first day, her second weigh-in resulted in disqualification.
Vinesh Phogat’s journey in the Olympics has been one of resilience and determination. Participating in her third consecutive Olympics, she had previously suffered an injury during the Rio 2016 Olympics, which dashed her medal hopes. In the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she faced a tough loss in the quarterfinals. In Paris, Vinesh showcased her skill and tenacity, defeating top-seeded defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan, former European champion Oksana Livach of Ukraine, and reigning Pan American Games champion Yusneylis Guzman of Cuba to reach the final.
In response to the disqualification, the IOA issued a statement expressing their regret and requesting privacy for Vinesh. “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 the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand,” the statement read.
With Vinesh’s disqualification, the final bout will now see USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt facing Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman for the gold medal, while Yui Susaki and Oksana Livach will compete for the bronze. The Indian contingent and fans worldwide are left hoping for a strong comeback from Vinesh in future competitions.
