Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s hopes of winning a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games were shattered on the morning of August 7th. She was disqualified from the 50kg freestyle category final after failing to meet the weight requirement. This came as a major blow after she had just secured a medal for India by winning her semifinal match against Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman 5-0.
Vinesh’s journey to the Paris Olympics was marked by challenges related to weight management. She made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games in the 48kg category, but as she got older, it became increasingly difficult for her to maintain that weight. She subsequently moved up to the 50kg category and then the 53kg category for the Tokyo Olympics. Even at 53kg, Vinesh struggled to make weight, leading to poor recovery and frequent injuries.
This period of struggle coincided with the rise of another Indian wrestler, Antim Panghal. While Vinesh was sidelined due to injuries, Antim won a bronze medal in the women’s 53kg category at the Tokyo Olympics, securing a quota for Paris. With no other option, Vinesh decided to drop down to the 50kg category – the lightest weight class in women’s wrestling – for the Paris Games.
Despite her best efforts, Vinesh was unable to make weight on the day of the final, ending her medal hopes in a heartbreaking manner. This disqualification is a testament to the immense pressure and sacrifices athletes face, particularly in weight-sensitive sports.
