India had to endure a major setback at the start of Day 12 of the Paris Olympics. Star grappler Vinesh Phogat, who was assured of at least a silver medal in women's 50kg freestyle wrestling, was disqualified from the Olympics, hours before her gold medal bout against USA's Sarah Hildebrandt. Vinesh failed to make the weight-cut, leading to her disqualification.
However, reports have emerged of Vinesh's coaching staff leaving no stones unturned in assisting the grappler to meet the weight cut. Vinesh had passed the weigh-in before her event (women's 50kg freestyle wrestling) on Tuesday and went to win three bouts to storm to the final.
As per a report in the Indian Express Vinesh was found 2kgs overweight at the same night. Following this, the coaches and the grappler worked overnight to shed the extra weight. It was reported that Vinesh didn't eat or drink anything for over 12 hours and took part in a rigorous routine, which involved jogging, skipping and cycling.
Vinesh was seen doing the same after her semifinal bout and the moment was broadcasted on Jio Cinema, the official streaming partner of Paris Olympics. The footage was shown after India's heart-breaking 2-3 loss against Germany in the men's hockey semifinal, and images of the same have now flooded on social media.
Pictures taken after Vinesh Phogat semifinal yesterday. May be she was skipping right after the bout in a desperate attempt to lose a few grams. Heartbreakingly, it was not to be. A champion athelete nonetheless pic.twitter.com/ZXB8pyf3HP— Bharat Sharma (@sharmabharat45) August 7, 2024
The Indian delegation even cut her hair, hoping that would make a difference. In another report by The Sportstar, the coaches even "attempted to draw out blood, but their efforts did not yield the desired results."
The extremities that Vinesh underwent put her in severe conditions and she was rushed to the hospital on complaints of dehydration and dizziness. In fact it was also reported by India Today, that the grappler had fainted before being taken to the medical care at the Olympic Village.
Also Read | Vinesh Phogat disqualified from Paris Olympics: A complete explainer on wrestling weigh-in rules
She was taken to a medical center inside the Olympic village after she felt dizzy and lost consciousness for a brief period.
Meanwhile, Vinesh was not the only grappler, who struggled with weight issues. Italy's Emanuela Liuzzi was also forced to forfeit her preliminary round bout due to a similar issue on Tuesday.
As per multiple reports Vinesh was overweight by a little over 100grams from the permissible 50kg limit. The United World Wrestling (UWW), international wrestling governing body, rules state: “If an athlete does not attend or fails the weigh-in, he or she will be eliminated from the competition and ranked last without a ranking.”
Vinesh Phogat disqualified from Paris Olympics: Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez replaces Indian grappler in wrestling 50kg finals
Meanwhile, the organisers also released a statement on the same, which read: “Vinesh failed [the] second-day weigh-in. According to article 11 of the International Wrestling Rules, Vinesh will be replaced by the wrestler who lost against her in the semi-final.”
“Therefore, Guzman Lopez Yusneylis will compete in the final. Repechage Susaki Yui vs Livach Oksana will become a bronze medal match,” it added.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
