PM Modi Reaches Out To IOA President PT Usha Following Vinesh Phogat’s Disqualification

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally contacted IOA President PT Usha to get firsthand information about the recent disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympic gold medal bout. In the conversation, PM Modi requested Usha to explore all possible avenues to support Phogat's case and suggested that a strong protest be filed regarding her disqualification if it could benefit her situation.

Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified after being found a few grams over the weight limit, had qualified for the gold medal bout before the setback. In a heartfelt message on X, PM Modi praised Phogat for her inspirational performance and resilience. "Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today's setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing. At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head-on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you," PM Modi stated.

This incident is not an isolated event for Phogat, who has previously faced weight-related challenges. Known for competing in the 53kg category, Phogat struggled to meet the weight requirements for the 50kg category, the lower weight class she aimed for in these Olympics. She experienced similar difficulties during the Olympic qualifiers, narrowly missing the cut.

Weigh-ins for wrestlers at the Olympics occur each morning before their matches, with the tournament spanning just two days per weight class. Wrestlers must meet the weight limit on both days to qualify for finals or the repechage rounds. During the weigh-in period, athletes can check their weight multiple times, and the process lasts for 15 minutes on the second day. Wrestlers are also examined for contagious diseases as part of the weigh-in procedure.