“She was found overweight by 100gm this morning. The rules do not allow this and she has been disqualified,” said an Indian coach.
Vinesh Phogat reached the final of the 50 kg women’s freestyle wrestling event, defying all odds. However, she was approximately 2 kilos overweight on Tuesday night, the day she secured her place in the final.
According to media reports, the 29-year-old Phogat stayed up all night, engaging in rigorous activities such as jogging, skipping, and cycling in a desperate bid to meet the weight criteria.
Despite her relentless efforts, she fell short by 100 grams on the morning of August 7, the day of her gold medal bout. Phogat has faced similar challenges in the past when competing in the 50 kg division, a category lower than her usual 53 kg class. Even during the Olympic qualifiers, she endured a similar ordeal, narrowly making the weight.
More to follow…
First Published: Aug 07 2024 | 12:39 PM IST
