By Tejas

Pune, August 7, 2024: A billion hearts broke after Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat faced a significant setback at the Paris Olympics 2024, being disqualified from the women's wrestling 50 kg final due to being overweight by 100 grams. The disqualification occurred on the morning of her anticipated gold medal bout against American wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt.

Phogat, who had already secured a silver medal for India, was found overweight during the mandatory final weigh-in on the day of the competition. Despite efforts by the Indian team to help her meet the weight requirement, Phogat exceeded the 50 kg limit slightly.

Phogat's journey to the final had been impressive. She defeated top-seeded and defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the opening round, followed by victories over Oksana Livach of Ukraine and Yusneylis Guzman of Cuba. However, the disqualification means Phogat will leave Paris without a medal, and Guzman will replace her in the final to compete against Hildebrandt for the gold.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) expressed regret over the disqualification, emphasising the necessity of adhering to the rules. The IOA also lodged a strong protest and filed an appeal for reconsideration, highlighting the emotional and physical toll on Phogat and her team.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed support for Phogat on social media, calling her "a champion among champions" and urging her to "come back stronger." He acknowledged the setback and emphasised her resilience, stating that her nature has always been to face challenges head-on.

The disqualification sparked widespread support for Phogat from various quarters. Notable figures, including boxer Vijender Singh, International Olympic Committee member Nita Ambani, and badminton star PV Sindhu, expressed their solidarity and support.

The statement from the Indian Olympic Association reads: "It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50 kg class. Despite the team's best efforts, the rules must be respected, and we extend our deepest support to Vinesh during this challenging time."