Vinesh Phogat's Final Attempt To Shed Weight Fails: Gold Medal Dreams End Due To Overweight

In a heartbreaking turn of events, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Women's Wrestling 50kg class at the Olympics. Initially found to be 2 kilograms overweight on Tuesday night. In an effort to meet the criteria, Phogat stayed awake all night, jogging, skipping, and cycling. Despite the Indian delegation's request for additional time to achieve the required weight, the pleas were denied. Despite her hard work, she was unable to meet the required weight limit.

The situation took a dramatic turn as Phogat was later found to be slightly over 50 grams overweight during the weigh-in this morning. This slight excess led to her disqualification from the final bout, where she was vying for a medal. Although Phogat met the weight limit for her bouts on Tuesday, wrestlers must stay within their weight category on both competition days.

Phogat has faced challenges in staying within the weight limits of the 50 kg category, which is lower than the 53 kg class she usually competes in. She had similar difficulties during the Olympic qualifiers but managed to qualify eventually. Her impressive journey to the finals included a significant victory over Japan's Yui Susaki, the World No. 1, who had been undefeated before her match with Phogat.

Vinesh Phogat has been taken to the medical centre inside the Games Village after feeling dizzy due to dehydration.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) confirmed the disqualification today, expressing regret over the situation. Phogat's journey to the final was marked by remarkable victories, including defeating top competitors. Her disqualification, despite her best efforts to comply with the weight requirements, has been a significant setback.

Phogat's journey to the finals was nothing short of remarkable. She achieved significant victories over top competitors, including World No.1 and Tokyo 2020 champion Yui Susaki of Japan, Ukraine's Oksana Livach, and Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez. Her exceptional performance had set her up as a strong contender for the gold medal.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) expressed deep regret over Phogat's disqualification. In a statement, the IOA highlighted that despite the team's best efforts to help her meet the weight requirement, Phogat weighed in a few grams over the limit. The association has requested respect for Phogat's privacy and is focusing on other ongoing competitions.

This disqualification represents a significant setback for Phogat and her supporters, who had high hopes for her gold medal bid. Known for typically competing in the 53kg category, Phogat has faced weight challenges in the past, particularly during Olympic qualifiers.