India’s star wrestler Vinesh Phogat scripted history as she became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout on Tuesday. However, today, India’s hopes for a Gold medal came crashing down when Vinesh was disqualified for being overweight by a few grams. For her bout in the 50kg category, she was 100 grams overweight, resulting in an automatic disqualification.
Vinesh was found to be overweight by two kilograms after her semi-final match. She spent the night trying various things to lose the extra weight, but fell short by just a few grams. Post her disqualification, she was hospitalised due to dehydration.
Reacting to the heart-breaking news, Indian Olympic Association President P T Usha, said, “I met Vinesh at the Olympic Village Polyclinic a short while ago and assured her of complete support of the Indian Olympic Association, Government of India and the whole country. We are providing Vinesh all medical and emotional support.”
Wrestling: Weight cut
To reduce her weight, Vinesh employed the weight cut method. Contingent’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, stated that every possible technique was used to ensure Vinesh could meet the prescribed limit.
“The process of weight cut involves a calculated restriction of food and water along with sweating from exercises and sauna till the morning weigh-in. This weight cut causes weakness and energy depletion, which is counter-productive to participation,” he said.
Once the athlete is weighed-in for the bout, they are given limited water and high energy foods for energy restoration. “Vinesh’s nutritionist had calculated this to be 1.5 kg. There sometimes is also a rebound weight gain following competition,” he added.
Vinesh’s hair was cut to reduce weight
Pardiwala revealed that after three exhausting bouts on Tuesday, Vinesh was given only small amounts of water to prevent dehydration.
“Her post participation weight was found to have increased. The coach initiated the normal process of weight cut that he has always employed with Vinesh and felt confident that it would be achieved.”
He further said that all “possible drastic measures”, including cutting her hair, were taken. All of that could not bring her below 50kg.
International rules stipulate that any grappler found overweight at the time of weigh-in ends up at the bottom of the final standings.
(With agency inputs)