Vinesh Phogat Disqualification Sparks Social Media Frenzy: Netizens Are Heartbroken

The Indian ace grappler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympic Games after being found slightly overweight. Vinesh, who had been competing in the 50kg freestyle wrestling category, was discovered to be over the weight limit for her event.

Although she usually competes in the 53kg category, she had reduced her weight to fit into the 50kg category for the Paris Olympics. However, on the second day of her weigh-in, she was found to exceed the desired limit.

Vinesh Phogat Disqualified

Vinesh made efforts to meet the weight requirement, including skipping meals and running, and she even went without sleep, hoping to fall under the weight limit. Despite requests from Indian officials for additional time, these efforts were unsuccessful. Earlier, Vinesh had made history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the final of a wrestling event in the Olympic Games. However, she was found to be overweight by just 100 grams on Wednesday morning, and the rules did not permit any exceptions, as reported by ANI.

As a result of the disqualification, Vinesh will not be awarded any medals at the Paris Games. Although she had been assured of a silver medal, her disqualification meant she would return home without any medal.

Vinesh had faced a formidable challenge in her first bout, going up against Japanese wrestler Yui Susaki, who was undefeated in her international career and a four-time world Olympic champion. Vinesh managed to stun the reigning Olympic champion in what was considered one of the biggest upsets of the Games, as per media reports.

Following this, she defeated Oksana Livach of Ukraine to secure a place in the semi-finals of the women's 50kg freestyle event. Her advancement to the finals was celebrated with tears of joy, but ultimately, the hopes of Vinesh and 1.4 billion Indians were shattered on Tuesday morning.

Phogat Disqualification Sparks Social Media Frenzy

The news has brought criticism to the Indian Olympic Association and heartbreak among the Phogat fans. Taking to social media, X (formerly known as Twitter), one of the X users wrote, " Heartbreak! Vinesh Phogat is likely to be disqualified, to miss Paris Olympic medal Paris Olympics: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was found overweight on the second day of competition in the 50 kg category and is likely to not make the podium on Wednesday evening. This is sad news."

Another user wrote, "Indian people will remember Vinesh Phogat's hard work and resilience."

One of the X user named Sneha wrote," This is heartbreaking. A mere 100 gms over weight when in the last match she played she was well within the weight limit. Olympics rules seems are arbitrary and particular. I hope the team appeals against it. Its cruel."