Vinesh Phogat had to lose 2kg overnight before Olympics final, was seen skipping: Report

Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from Paris Olympics

Vinesh Phogat--who has been disqualified from the final round of women's freestyle 50kg wrestling at the Paris Olympics over a weight issue--was within the permissible weight limit of 50kg on Tuesday morning, ESPN reported. The 29-year-old may have gained some weight as she replenished herself after three bouts in the day and had to lose about 2kg overnight.

"She was seen skipping in a sweat suit last evening after her semifinal bout and is learned to have worked on it all night, but was overweight by 100 grams at the weigh-in this morning," the report stated.

A Times of India report said the wrestler jogged, skipped, and cycled through the night to shed the extra weight.

While there is an uproar over Phogat's disqualification after she was found to be overweight by about 100 grams, article 11 of the United World Wrestling's rule book states that an athlete who does not make the weight cut will be eliminated from the competition. "If an athlete does not attend or fail the weigh-in (the 1st or the 2nd weigh-in), he will be eliminated of the competition and ranked last, without rank."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has requested the Indian Olympic Association to explore all options to appeal against the disqualification.

According to news agency ANI, PM Modi personally spoke with Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha, seeking firsthand information on the matter and potential avenues for redressal. He instructed PT Usha to exhaust all options to support Phogat's case, including filing a strong protest against the disqualification if necessary.

In a post on X, PM Modi called Phogat the "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," he wrote.

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.

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At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2024

Vinesh Phogat had become the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final in wrestling. Sakshi Malik, the only other woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal for India, had clinched a bronze medal at Rio 2016.