Vinesh Phogat disqualification: In a devastating turn of events, Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris 2024 Olympics wrestling competition due to being overweight by “a few grams” in the women’s 50kg category. The disqualification occurred on the morning of her gold medal bout, which was scheduled for Thursday.
At Paris 2024, each weight category spans two competition days. Wrestlers undergo a medical control and weigh-in on the first day, with a second weigh-in on the day of the finals and repechage for those who advance.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) issued a statement saying, “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,” the statement added.
Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris 2024 Olympics means she will end the Games without a medal.
According to international rules, any wrestler who is overweight at the time of weigh-in is placed at the bottom of the final standings. Phogat, who had defeated defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan to advance to the finals, was set to face Sarah Hildebrandt of the USA, who is seeded sixth, in the final.
On Tuesday, Italy’s Emanuela Liuzzi was also disqualified after being found overweight and was forced to forfeit her preliminary bout.