Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat issued her first statement via an emotional post after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday rejected her appeal against her disqualification from the 50kg category final at the Paris Olympics. Vinesh, who was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight during the second weigh-in on the morning of her gold-medal match, had also requested to be awarded a joint silver medal.
Phogat, who faced a heartbreaking disqualification at the Paris Olympics, shared an emotional post reflecting on her journey, her uncertain future, and a potential goal for 2032. Phogat, who was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight before her gold-medal match in the 50kg category, expressed deep sorrow and introspection in her message.
In her post, Vinesh recounted her early dreams, her father’s hopes, and her mother’s struggles, which shaped her resilience. She credited her husband, Somvir, for being her unwavering support through the highs and lows. Despite the challenges, she remained determined, acknowledging that the fight within her was far from over.
On Wednesday, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced that the ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification from the Olympic Games. This decision ended her hopes of being awarded a joint silver medal in the women’s 50kg wrestling category. Vinesh was disqualified for exceeding the permissible weight limit by 100 grams during the weigh-in on the morning of August 7, just before her historic gold-medal bout against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the USA.
Vinesh Phogat had made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final, securing at least a silver medal. However, her disqualification came as a devastating blow, stripping the 29-year-old of not only a shot at gold but also a podium finish. According to UWW rules, any wrestler who fails the weigh-in at any stage of the competition is immediately disqualified, with all previous wins nullified.
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