India break silence after Olympic wrestler was disqualified from gold medal match by just 150 GRAMS – and attempt to justify why Vinesh Phogat was overweight
- Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from a historic final for being 150 grams overweight
- The wrestler allegedly took blood and cut her hair to gain weight
- India has tried to explain why their athlete exceeded the weight limit
The Indian Olympic Committee is “shocked and disappointed” after wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from her gold medal bout for being 150 grams overweight.
Phogat dreamed of becoming her country’s first female gold medallist in the women’s 50kg freestyle and underwent a rigorous weight loss programme to achieve this.
This reportedly involved blood draws, intensive sauna visits and haircuts, extreme measures that reportedly led to her hospitalization.
However, United World Wrestling (UWW) disqualified her prior to her bout with Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States and Phogat will not receive a medal.
Phogat had three competitions in one day and the Indian Olympic Committee claims that the extra kilos she gained after competing were due to refuelling in between.
Indian Olympic Committee ‘shocked and disappointed’ that Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified
Phogat was disqualified from India’s first women’s 50kg wrestling final for being 150 grams overweight
“I am shocked and disappointed with Vinesh’s disqualification,” said Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha, president of the Indian Olympic Committee.
“We are providing Vinesh with all the medical and emotional support. We are sure that all Indians will support Vinesh.”
Usha confirmed that the Wrestling Federation of India had filed an appeal.
Phogat, who normally weighs 53 kg, had already lost 3 kg to compete in the division.
According to a report by NDTV, the wrestler admitted to using rigorous methods to lose weight, including intensive sauna sessions. Her coach even suggested she cut her hair to lose another 50 grams.
The Phogat preliminary rounds, quarter-finals and semi-finals all started on Tuesday.
Despite starting training immediately after her fights and not eating anything, she still gained 1 kg. This meant that she had to take further measures if she wanted to compete against the American Hildebrandt.
After cutting her hair to gain weight, she reportedly had blood drawn to meet the criteria. These attempts ultimately failed.
Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, chief medical officer of the Indian Olympic Committee, explained Phogat’s mystery.
Phogat is said to have cut her hair and taken blood in an attempt to gain the required weight
“This weight loss causes weakness and loss of energy, which has a negative effect on participation. To restore energy, limited water and energy-rich food are given after the weigh-in,” he said.
Vinesh’s nutritionist had calculated that this was 1.5 kg. Sometimes there is also a rebound weight gain after a competition.
‘Vinesh had three attacks and therefore small amounts of water had to be given to prevent dehydration. Her weight after participation was found to have increased. The coach started the normal process of weight loss that he always used with Vinesh and was confident that it would be achieved.
‘However, Vinesh was found to be 100 grams above her weight class of 50 kg and was therefore disqualified.’
The news sparked widespread sympathy for her compatriots, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi even describing her on social media platform X as a “champion among champions.”
“You are the pride of India and an inspiration to every Indian,” Modi said.
“Today’s setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair I feel. At the same time, I know that you embody resilience. It has always been your nature to look challenges in the eye.
‘Come back stronger! We’re all rooting for you.’