Vinesh Phogat Disqualified from Paris 2024 Olympics

Vinesh Phogat Disqualified from Paris 2024 Olympics

In a devastating turn of events, Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris 2024 Olympics wrestling competition due to being overweight in the women’s 50kg category on the morning of her gold medal match on Thursday.

At Paris 2024, each weight category is contested over two days, with weigh-ins taking place on the first day and a second weigh-in for finalists and repechage qualifiers on the second day.

“It is with regret that the Indian contingent announces Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the women’s wrestling 50kg class,” the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) stated. “Despite the team's best efforts through the night, she weighed slightly over 50kg this morning.

“No further comments will be made at this time. The Indian team requests respect for Vinesh’s privacy and wishes to focus on the remaining competitions.”

Vinesh Phogat was eligible to compete on the first day but weighed just over 50kg on Thursday morning.

According to wrestling rules, failing the weigh-in on either competition day results in elimination from the event.

Unseeded Vinesh had reached the final after winning three bouts on Wednesday. She defeated top seed and defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the first round, then overcame former European champion Oksana Livach of Ukraine in the quarter-finals, and finally bested reigning Pan American Games champion Yusneylis Guzman of Cuba in the semi-finals.

Vinesh was set to face USA’s sixth-seeded Sarah Hildebrandt in the final.