Olympics: Heartbreak, Questions as Vinesh Phogat Is Disqualified; Wrestling Hero ‘Quits’ Sport

The wrestler, who had been at the forefront of a historic battle for justice against BJP strongman and then MP Brij Bhushan Singh, was the first Indian woman to have made it to an Olympics wrestling final match.

New Delhi: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has lodged a “strong protest” with the United World Wrestling (UWW), the international governing body on wrestling, after Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Olympics, Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya told the parliament on Wednesday (August 7).

In a heartbreaking twist to Phogat’s incredible rise this Olympics, the grappler was disqualified after not hitting the requisite weight mark by what is being reported as 100 grams. She has been hospitalised due to dehydration after efforts to reduce her weight overnight, reports say.

Several, among whom is boxer Vijender Singh, are among those who have pointed to a “conspiracy”, citing Phogat’s prominent role in a protest against the country’s Wrestling Federation’s former chief.

Early on August 8, Phogat herself wrote on X that she is quitting the sport.

“Mother Wrestling won the match against me, I lost. Forgive me, the dream, my courage are all broken, I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will always be indebted to you. Forgive me,” she wrote in Hindi.

What happened?

Phogat is competing in the 50-kg category of the competition. The rules dictate that wrestlers will have to be within the weight mark on both days of the competition.

After surging to the finals yesterday, Phogat would have had her medal bout today. She was within the 50-kg mark before competition yesterday but weighed two kilos above it later in the evening. Indian Express has reported that Phogat did not sleep all night and tried every form of exercise possible – including skipping and cycling – to lose the two kilos. The Indian delegation pleaded for more time but were turned down. Her efforts likely caused dehydration, and Phogat has been hospitalised, India Today has reported.

“It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class,” the Indian Olympic Association said in a statement, adding that the Indian team requests that her privacy be respected. Some have questioned why the IOA did not dispute this decision and rushed to acknowledge it.

Phogat used to previously compete in the women’s 53 kg category.

Her uncle, famed coach Mahavir Phogat, told a news agency, “Rules are there but if a wrestler is 50-100 grams overweight they are usually allowed to play.”

A fighter 

For over 14 hours, Phogat had been the first Indian woman wrestler to make it to an Olympics final. She is also the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for a third Olympics.

But what has highlighted her phenomenal run in this games – where she beat Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman in the semis, Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarters and reigning champion Japan’s Yui Susaki – is her sustained protest against former BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is accused of sexually harassing at least seven wrestlers.

Phogat was detained by police, criticised in a vicious hate campaign and sidelined until a court allowed charges to be framed against Singh. Singh’s son is now an MP. Singh continues to maintain a strong hold on the Wrestling Federation, it is alleged. The wrestlers had repeatedly said that he has been mismanaging the sport for decades now.

Olympian and former boxer Vijender Singh has said that this is a conspiracy.

“It’s a huge conspiracy against India and Indian wrestlers. The way she has performed is worth appreciating. Maybe some people couldn’t digest the happiness. We can reduce five to six kgs in one night, so what’s the problem with 100 grams. I feel that someone had some problems and so the step to disqualify was taken. She should have got a chance to reduce the 100 grams,” Vijender told India Today.

Wrestling Federation of India President Sanjay Singh has told PTI that he requested the officials to give Phogat some time and some relaxation, “but it was denied.”

“I don’t think Vinesh is at fault here. She was performing wonderfully, and the entire responsibility here is of her coach and the supporting staff. A probe should be done on how her weight increased. I urge the central government to take strict action against them (the coach and the supporting staff),” he added.

In a video statement, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Paudiwala and Indian Olympic Association president P.T. Usha said, according to NDTV that Vinesh’s “post-participation weight was increased more than normal and the coach initiated the normal process of weight cut that he has always employed with Vinesh.”

Among those who have registered their heartbreak at the outcome is India’s Olympic gold winning shooter Abhinav Bindra. “Sometimes you don’t need a gold medal to be a true champion to people,” Bindra said.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had not posted on X while Phogat won three crucial matches on her way to the final, has written on social media that she epitomises “resilience.”

Parliament

The Lok Sabha saw an uproar with opposition MPs demanding an answer from the union government on Phogat’s disqualification.

Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal informed the House, that sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya will address the Lok Sabha at 3pm.

Outside the parliament, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal told reporters that the country would like to hear the government’s statement.

“We are seeking clarification from the government on what exactly has happened. This is a very sad moment for us, but we are extremely proud of her (Vinesh Phogat). The whole country is proud of her. The country would like to hear the government’s statement,” he said.

Note: This article has been updated with Vinesh Phogat’s post on X.