Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the women’s 50kg final at the Olympics after failing to meet the weight requirements. This disqualification, which occurred on the morning of the final, has resulted in Phogat being stripped of her silver medal and disallowed from competing for the gold.
The 29-year-old was found to be 150 grams over the 50kg weight limit on the morning of her final match. Despite her and her team’s desperate attempts to reduce her weight—employing extreme measures such as cutting her hair and attempting to draw out blood—the efforts were in vain. The weight issue meant that under United World Wrestling (UWW) rules, Phogat was automatically disqualified and would be ranked last without a standing.
The UWW rules clearly state, “If an athlete does not attend or fail the weigh-in, he or she will be eliminated from the competition and ranked last without rank.” Phogat’s disqualification is particularly poignant as she had reached the finals after a stunning series of victories, including defeating Japan’s Yui Susaki, Oksana Livach, and Yuznelys Guzman.
This marks a historic and unfortunate milestone, as Vinesh Phogat becomes the first athlete to be disqualified from an Olympic final due to failing to make weight.
Vinesh Phogat’s wrestling career has seen her compete across various weight categories. She made her Olympic debut in the 48kg category at the age of 22. As she matured, maintaining that weight became increasingly challenging, prompting her to move up to the 50kg category and eventually to 53kg by the time of the Tokyo Olympics. Even at 53kg, Phogat faced significant challenges, including difficulty in recovery and recurrent injuries due to the intense weight-cutting process.
Her struggles were compounded by the emergence of fellow Indian wrestler Antim Panghal, who claimed a bronze medal in the 53kg category and secured a quota spot for the Paris Olympics while Phogat was sidelined with injuries. Faced with this competitive pressure, Phogat made the difficult decision to drop back down to the 50kg category, the lightest division in women’s wrestling.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) released an official statement expressing their regret over the incident. “It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class,” the statement read.
“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 at hand.”
The disqualification is a significant setback for Vinesh Phogat, who was on the cusp of an Olympic medal. Her journey highlights the immense pressures and challenges faced by athletes striving to compete at the highest level, particularly regarding weight management in weight-class sports.
As the wrestling community and fans worldwide process this development, Phogat’s situation shows the importance of supportive systems for athletes struggling with weight and injuries. It also brings attention to the need for ongoing dialogue and reforms regarding weight management practices and athlete well-being.
While Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic journey may have ended prematurely this time, her achievements in the sport continue to inspire, and there is hope that she will overcome this challenge and return stronger in future competitions.
