KUALA LUMPUR – All it took was 100 grammes to rob an athlete of a medal.
Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement earlier today following yesterday’s devastating disqualification from the women’s 50kg freestyle final at the Paris Olympics.
The 29-year-old, set to compete against American Sarah Hildebrandt for the gold medal, was disqualified for being just 100g over the weight limit.
Her place in the final was taken by Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman Lopez, who had lost to Phogat in the semi-finals. Hildebrandt secured the gold medal with a 3-0 victory over Lopez.
Despite her rigorous efforts, including a week of starvation and hours of sauna, Phogat fell short of the required weight.
To put this in perspective, 100g is roughly the weight of a medium-sized apple or a standard-sized chocolate bar.
“Wrestling won and I lost. My dreams are shattered. I don’t have any more strength,” Phogat posted on social media platform X.
“Goodbye wrestling 2001–2024. I will always be indebted to you all. I am sorry.”
Phogat’s disqualification not only ended her Olympic campaign but also her wrestling career.
Phogat, a world bronze medallist and three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, had been a prominent figure in Indian wrestling.
She gained national attention last year while leading a protest against the then-chief of Indian wrestling, who was embroiled in a sexual harassment scandal.
Indian media reported that Phogat has appealed her disqualification to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking a joint silver medal. The CAS is expected to announce its verdict later today. – August 8, 2024