Join Us 
Vinesh Phogat could have withdrawn from competition and claimed a silver medal at the Paris Olympics but this required her to provide evidence that she was physically incapable of continuing to wrestle for medical reasons.
Vinesh Phogat’s unexpected disqualification from the Paris 2024 Olympics shocked Indian sports fans. Competing in the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event, she missed the weight limit by just 100 grams during the weigh-in on Wednesday morning. Originally, she competes in the 53kg category, but that spot was taken by Antim Panghal, so Vinesh had to aim for 50kg, which was challenging for her natural weight of around 56-57kg.
Key Points:
- First Weigh-In: Vinesh made the 50kg cut on the first day, allowing her to compete.
- Weight Gain: After her bouts, she drank water and ate to replenish energy, gaining about 2kg.
- Failed Weight Loss: Despite working all night, Vinesh couldn’t shed the final 100 grams due to exhaustion.
- Strict Rules: The weight limit is strictly 50.00kg; even a fraction over results in disqualification.
- Injury Declaration: If Vinesh had declared herself injured before the second-day weigh-in, she could have retained her results and possibly won silver. The rule allows injured athletes to skip the second weigh-in and keep their standings.
- Disqualification Impact: Disqualification was very disappointing for Vinesh as it gave her no medal, neither any results of the wrestling event.
UWW Rules:
- Weigh-In Protocol: The weigh-in occurs early to allow athletes time to replenish before bouts.
- Two-Day Format: Introduced in 2017, it prevents athletes from losing too much weight in one day.
Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification meant she returned from the Paris Olympics empty-handed despite her efforts and potential to win a medal.
