Vinesh Phogat
Indian female wrestler athlete Vinesh Phogat was disqualified just before the 50 kg freestyle gold medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024 due to being 100 grams over the prescribed weight limit. After this decision, while the Indian Olympic Association lodged a strong objection, Vinesh was also very disappointed. Vinesh Phogat had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CSA) regarding this decision that she should be given at least a silver medal, on which a big update has now come. Actually, the date of decision on Vinesh Phogat’s case has been extended. Now the decision in this matter will come on August 11 at 9:30 PM Indian time.
According to ANI, the Ad-hoc Division of CAS has given sole arbitrator Dr. Annabelle Bennett until 6:00 PM local time on August 11, 2024 to issue an award in the case of Vinesh Phogat vs United World Wrestling and International Olympic Committee.
Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement
When Vinesh Phogat confirmed her place for the gold medal match in Paris Olympics 2024, she became the first Indian woman wrestler to play the final match of any kilogram category in the history of the Olympics, but when her weight was measured on the morning of the medal match, it was 100 grams more than the prescribed limit, in such a situation Vinesh was declared ineligible for the match. Vinesh did jogging, cycling and even cut her hair and nails the night before the match to reduce her weight, but still she missed it due to being just 100 grams overweight.
While Vinesh Phogat was very disappointed after being disqualified, she also announced her retirement from wrestling on the morning of 8 August. Vinesh has won medals in wrestling from Commonwealth to Asian Games. While she received the Arjuna Award from the Government of India in the year 2016, Vinesh also received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in the year 2020.
Vinesh performed brilliantly from pre-quarterfinals to semi-finals
Vinesh Phogat played three matches on 6 August in the 50 kg freestyle category of women’s wrestling. She made a great start by defeating Japan’s Yui Susaki 3-2 in the pre-quarterfinals. After this, in the quarter-finals, Vinesh faced Ukrainian female wrestler Oxana Livach, whom she defeated 7-5 and confirmed her place in the semi-finals where she clashed with a Cuban wrestler and in this she won one-sidedly 5-0 and confirmed her place for the gold medal match.