The eagerly awaited verdict on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification at the Paris Olympics has been further delayed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). This is the third postponement of the decision, leaving the athlete, her supporters, and the nation in a state of suspense. Phogat was disqualified from the women’s 50kg category just before her gold medal bout due to exceeding the weight limit by a mere 100 grams.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, Sanjay Singh, has emphasized the significance of the CAS verdict, highlighting its impact on both Phogat’s individual career and India’s overall medal tally. He expressed hope for a favorable outcome, stating that a win could potentially add a crucial medal to India’s Olympic count.
Singh also acknowledged the turmoil within the Indian wrestling community in the past year and a half, which he believes resulted in a loss of potential medals. He asserted that the CAS decision would be of national importance, as it represents the country’s achievement and not just an individual’s.
Phogat’s disqualification occurred on August 7, just hours before her final match. She had made history as the first Indian female wrestler to reach the Olympic final in her weight category. Through her appeal to CAS, she seeks a joint silver medal with Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, whom she defeated in the semi-finals.
Singh further shed light on the complexities of weight management in competitive wrestling. He acknowledged the athlete’s personal choice in their weight class but stressed the individual responsibility of maintaining that weight. He pointed out that the rapid weight gain and loss required in this sport can have significant physical consequences. He assured that Phogat received all necessary support, including training with a foreign coach in Hungary.
The CAS had initially set August 13 as the deadline for the verdict but has now pushed it to August 16. This delay has fueled anxiety and anticipation within the Indian sports community, eagerly awaiting the outcome that could potentially bring India a well-deserved medal at the Paris Olympics.
