In what comes as a heartbreaking news for India and wrestler Vinesh Phogat, the finalist has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics after she failed to make the weight on the morning of her 50kg gold medal bout on Wednesday, August 7. (Medal Table | Schedule & Results | Full Coverage)
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) put out a statement in regards to Phogat's disqualification: "It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class.
"Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand."
Earlier, Phogat had become the darling of the country when she became the first woman wrestler to reach the final of the Olympics.
On her way to the final, she stunned Japan's Yui Susaki, the current world number 1, and then clinched wins over wrestlers from Ukraine and Cuba.
Phogat was scheduled to take on American Sarah Hildebrandt in the final. Hildebrandt will now fight Yusneylis Guzman, who lost to the Indian in the semi-final, for the gold medal. Susaki and Oksana Livach of Ukraine will compete for bronze.
By qualifying for the final, Phogat, a two-time World Championships medallist in 53kg, assured herself a silver medal at least. But as things stand now, she will be ranked last under the rules.
According to reports, Phogat was about 2kg overweight on Tuesday night and she made a desperate attempt to meet the weight -- jogging, skipping and cycling through the night.
Phogat had to switch to the 50kg category to ensure her qualification for the Paris Games after Antim Panghal had already earned an Olympic quota in the 53kg.
