A cruel twist of fate, measured in mere grams, ended Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic journey in Paris. The weight cut, a brutal reality for wrestlers, proved to be her undoing. She had already secured a place in history, becoming the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic wrestling final. A silver medal seemed inevitable, but the weighing scale, accurate to 100 grams, became her nemesis.
At 7:30 am, just hours before the final, Vinesh stood on the scale, her body ravaged by a relentless weight-cutting process. It displayed 50.1 kg, a mere 100 grams over the 50kg limit. Despite a desperate effort, including cutting her hair and inducing vomiting, the scale wouldn’t budge. The rules were clear, and Vinesh was disqualified. Her Olympic dreams, built on years of dedication, were shattered in an instant.
Vinesh had previously wrestled at the 48kg and 53kg categories, enduring grueling weight cuts that often left her blacking out during matches. This time, she was forced to compete at 50kg due to the emergence of a younger rival in the 53kg category. The weight cut was a battle she fought with unwavering determination, but it ultimately proved too much.
The weight-cutting process is a dangerous practice in the world of wrestling. It requires athletes to push their bodies to extreme limits, often risking dehydration and organ damage. This is a testament to Vinesh’s resilience and dedication to the sport, but it also underscores the inherent risks associated with the weight divisions.
Her disqualification has sparked debate surrounding the rules and the dangers of weight cutting. The weight cut is a necessary evil in the sport, but the rules surrounding it need to be re-evaluated, with athlete health and safety placed at the forefront. Vinesh’s story is a stark reminder of the sacrifices athletes make, and the cruel realities they face in the pursuit of their dreams.
