India’s top female wrestler, Vinesh Phogat, faced a devastating blow when she was disqualified from the gold medal match in the Olympic women’s 50kg freestyle category. The disqualification, which occurred after Phogat failed to meet the weight requirement during Wednesday’s weigh-in, has led to an outpouring of support from across the nation.
Olympics 2024
The Indian wrestling team confirmed that Phogat was just 100 grams over the 50kg limit. According to competition rules, athletes must remain within their designated weight category on both days of the tournament. Despite efforts to cut weight, including the drastic measure of trimming her hair, Phogat was unable to shed the necessary grams.
The 29-year-old wrestler had an impressive run in the tournament, notably defeating four-time world champion and reigning Olympic gold medalist Yui Susaki of Japan in her first match. Phogat’s victory over Susaki had positioned her as a strong contender for gold, which would have made her the first Indian woman to achieve such a feat in wrestling. However, her disqualification left her empty-handed, and she was subsequently ranked last in the competition.
The decision by United World Wrestling to disqualify Phogat has resonated deeply with many, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on X, Modi described Phogat as “India’s pride” and a “champion among champions.” Expressing his sympathy, Modi acknowledged the pain of the setback but also highlighted Phogat’s resilience. “It has always been your nature to take challenges head on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you,” he wrote.
In the wake of the disqualification, Team India released a statement on X, acknowledging the situation and requesting respect for Phogat’s privacy. They announced that no further comments would be made on the matter.
Dinshaw Pardiwala, the chief medical officer for India’s wrestling team, provided insight into the challenges wrestlers face in managing their weight. He explained that it is common for wrestlers to compete in a weight category below their natural weight, as this can offer a competitive advantage. Wrestlers often regain weight rapidly after weigh-ins, a practice seen in other sports such as Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts.
However, the Olympic Games present unique challenges in weight management due to the limited number of weight classes. With only six weight categories in the Olympics, compared to 10 in other international competitions, wrestlers are forced to take more extreme measures to make weight.
The controversy surrounding Phogat’s disqualification has also drawn criticism from other top wrestlers. American Jordan Burroughs, a six-time world champion and 2012 Olympic gold medalist, took to social media to voice his concerns. Burroughs criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC), stating, “Wrestling needs MORE than six weight classes! After three tough matches against world-class opponents, no athlete should have to spend the night preparing for a Gold medal in this manner.”
Phogat’s struggle is not only physical but also emotional, given her role in a broader movement within the wrestling community. Last year, she became a leading figure in a protest against sexual harassment, which brought global attention and ignited a fierce #MeToo debate in India. Alongside other top wrestlers, Phogat demanded accountability for allegations against the president of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Singh, who has denied the charges.
The protest gained even more traction when Phogat and her fellow wrestlers were detained by police while attempting to march to India’s new parliament building. This incident further solidified Phogat’s status as a symbol of resistance and courage.
In the aftermath of her disqualification, Phogat received an outpouring of support from both the public and fellow athletes. Many hailed her as a hero, recognizing her strength in the face of adversity.
Meanwhile, the 50kg women’s wrestling category concluded with Team USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt winning the gold medal after defeating Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba in the final. Hildebrandt became the fourth American woman to win a wrestling gold at the Olympics. Reflecting on Phogat’s situation, Hildebrandt expressed empathy, stating, “As a big weight cutter myself, yeah, I feel for [Phogat]. She had an amazing day yesterday, did an insane feat, and you know, I don’t think she saw that happening, ending her Olympics like that. So for sure, my heart goes out to her. I think she’s an amazing competitor, an amazing wrestler and person.”
Yui Susaki, who Phogat defeated earlier in the competition, went on to win the bronze medal by defeating Ukraine’s Oksana Livach with a dominant 10-0 victory.
Phogat’s disqualification from the Olympic final is a stark reminder of the harsh realities athletes face in pursuit of their dreams. Yet, it also underscores the resilience and determination that define true champions. Despite the setback, Phogat remains a beacon of hope and inspiration, both within India and the global wrestling community.