Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was hospitalized tody in Paris after being disqualified from the women’s 50kg final at the Paris Olympics due to dehydration. Sources indicate that Phogat fainted shortly after her disqualification, which occurred when she was found 150 grams overweight during the weigh-in on the second day of the competition.
Despite extensive efforts by Phogat, her coaches, and support staff, including extreme measures to manage her weight, she failed to meet the required limit. Phogat is currently stable and resting in the polyclinic of the Olympic Village. Regrettably, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has confirmed that there are no available recourse options to appeal the disqualification, which has left her without a chance to compete for the gold medal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out to IOA President P.T. Usha to obtain detailed information and explore any possible options following this setback. According to United World Wrestling (UWW) rules, athletes who fail the weigh-in are eliminated from the competition and ranked last.
Phogat, who made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final, had switched to the 50kg category from her usual 53kg to ensure qualification for the Games. The IOA has requested respect for Phogat’s privacy and will continue to focus on ongoing competitions.
