Credit: X
The Indian Olympic contingent suffered a massive blow as wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the women's 50kg freestyle final after failing to make weight on August 7. Addressing this judgement, Olympic bronze medalist and Indi an boxing great Vijender Singh said that the over-weight issue is nothing.
Vinesh Phogat had a dream run at the Paris Olympics 2024 as she registered a 5-0 win against Yusneylys Guzmán of Cuba in the semi-final of the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling category and secured a medal for India. Phogat qualified for the semis after a 7-5 win against Okasana Livach in the quarterfinal.
Vijender Singh hits out after Vinesh Phogat's Paris Olympics disqualification
After these hardships and the decision, Vijender Singh expressed, "In case an athlete is overweight - steam bath, sauna, running - all are done to reduce few grams. This is a very hard decision, we should fight the decision. Appeal is possible. The Indian Olympic Association should take it up. It is unprecedented for a player to be disqualified like this in the final. 100 grams is nothing. Boxers are given more than an hour to reduce weight."
The Indian Olympic Contingent released a statement on X about Vinesh Phogat's disqualification. The statement said, "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."
