Vinesh Phogat, a prominent Indian wrestler, has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after being disqualified from the 50kg gold medal match at the Paris Olympics. The disqualification stemmed from a weight violation during the weigh-in, where Phogat exceeded the limit by 100 grams. This resulted in the annulment of her results from the first day of competition and a last-place ranking.
Phogat is seeking a joint silver medal alongside Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman, who replaced her in the gold medal bout and ultimately lost to USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt. Joining Phogat in the appeal is the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
To champion her case, Phogat has assembled a formidable legal team. Senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania will represent her before the CAS ad hoc division during the hearing scheduled for 5:30 PM IST on Friday. In addition, French lawyers Joelle Monlouis, Estelle Ivanova, Habbine Estelle Kim, and Charles Amson, who assisted Phogat and the IOA in filing the application, will also be part of the legal team.
The outcome of this appeal will determine if Vinesh Phogat can reclaim her place on the podium at the Paris Olympics. The sporting world awaits the decision of the CAS, with the fate of a talented wrestler hanging in the balance.
