'Vinesh wasn't at weigh-ins': Olympics gold medallist Sarah Ann Hildebrandt opens up about chaos before final bout

United State's Sarah Hildebrandt celebrates after defeating Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman in their women's freestyle 50kg final match, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo)

American grappler Sarah Ann Hildebrandt, who won the 50kg gold medal bout in Paris Olympics, opened up about the moments when she was informed about Vinesh Phogat's disqualification.

Hildebrandt said that she had Phogat on her mind and had prepared for the chaos in the final bout. Instead, what she got was utter confusion. "...that was not on my bingo card of chaos," Hildebrandt said.

The gold medalist, who had to settle for bronze in Tokyo Olympics, also spoke about the Phogat issue. She said that she couldn't find the Indian wrestler during the weigh-ins. "She was not there...," Hildebrandt said. Moments later, the US camp were informed about Phogat's failure at weigh-ins. The Indian grappler failed because she was 100 gm above the admissible range.

Hildebrandt said that she and her team thought that since Phogat had disqualified, it was a forfeit. There were lot of celebration in the US camp, but it was short-lived. Soon, the officials told them that the final bout will take place with Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez replacing Phogat. Hildebrandt defeated Lopez clinched the gold medal.

Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification chaos

Phogat, who had dropped to 50kg category to remain in the race of Olympic spot, resorted to severe measures to make the cut for the bout. This included avoiding fluids, staying hungry, and working out all night.

Despite all this, Phogat was severely dehydrated after the weigh-in failure and had to be sent to the Games Village polyclinic where she was put on IV fluids.