Vinesh Phogat's Olympic dreams shattered, Indian grappler disqualified due to overweight

Vinesh Phogat had become the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final in wrestling.

The Day 12 of the Paris Olympics started with a huge setback for India as it was learnt that Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics. She failed to make the weight cut on the morning of her 50kg gold medal bout. As per multiple reports the grappler was roughly 100 grams over the permissible limits, which led to her disqualification.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) released a statement confirming the same. The statement read: "It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand."

According to the very clear rules that pertain to wrestling, competitors must meet the weight on both mornings that they compete. Despite her most rigorous efforts, Vinesh couldn’t shed the last few grams. On Wednesday morning, Vinesh was given a 15-minute window at the weigh-in to try and squeeze in under the 50kg limit. The Indian delegation even contemplated cutting her hair in case that would make a difference. (Also Read | Vinesh Phogat disqualified: A complete explainer on wrestling weigh-in rules)

USA's Sarah Hildebrandt, who was Vinesh's opponent in the final, will now meet Cuba's Lopez Yusneylis Guzman in the gold medal match. Guzman had endured a 0-5 loss against the Indian in women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling semifinal.

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“Vinesh failed second day weigh-in. According to the article 11 of the International Wrestling Rules, Vinesh will be replaced by the wrestler who lost against her in the Semifinal. Therefore Yusneylis Guzman Lopez (Cuba) will compete in the Final,” said the organisers in an official statement.

In the other semifinal, which is also a bronze medal bout, reigning Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan takes on Ukraine's Oksana Livach. The Indian had stormed into the finals after defeating both the bronze medallist finalists. The Indian grappler produced the biggest upset at the ongoing Games by defeating the Japanese 3-2.

Vinesh then continued her impressive show and defeated Ukraine's Oksana Livach 7-5 in the women’s freestyle 50kg wrestling quarterfinal.