Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification in the Olympics final was a heartbreaking moment not just for her, but for the entire nation. The entire country had been cheering for her since morning on Wednesday, confident of her gold win. However, the news of her disqualification left many with curious questions, one of them being how she became overweight within a few hours if she was within the permissible limit earlier.
Vinesh Phogat is a champion among champions, India’s pride, and an inspiration for every Indian. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sense of despair at the setback but also acknowledged Vinesh’s resilience in facing challenges head-on. He encouraged her to come back stronger, with the nation rooting for her.
According to Indian contingent’s medical head Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, wrestlers often cut weight to compete in lower weight categories. Vinesh had mostly competed in the 53kg category with a natural weight of 55 to 56 kg. However, when she moved to the 50 kg category, she had to shed at least 6kg before every competition, a difficult and strenuous process. After the first day of cutting weight, she gained around 1.5 kg back after replenishment, making it challenging to meet the permissible weight limit in a short amount of time.
The decision for Vinesh to compete in the 50 kg category was influenced by Antim Panghal’s qualification in the 53 kg category. Antim Panghal was deported from Paris and had his accreditation canceled due to a disciplinary breach involving his sister using his accreditation to enter the Olympic Games Village. This incident led to Vinesh having to slash weight to compete in the 50 kg category, despite her usual competition in the 53 kg category.
In wrestling, weigh-ins are conducted in the morning before events begin to ensure wrestlers are within their weight category. If a wrestler fails the weigh-in, they are disqualified. Wrestlers undergo weight cuts through restrictions on food and water intake, along with sweating from exercises and sauna sessions. This process can lead to weakness, energy depletion, and affect performance. Wrestlers are given limited water and high-energy food to mitigate these effects. Vinesh’s nutritionist mentioned a potential weight loss of 1.5 kg, but in the final weigh-in, her weight increased by 100 grams despite efforts such as cutting her hair.
The disqualification of Vinesh Phogat in the Olympics final was a disappointing turn of events, highlighting the challenges and risks associated with weight cuts in wrestling. Despite the setback, Vinesh’s determination and resilience are qualities that will undoubtedly see her come back stronger in future competitions. The nation stands behind her, ready to support her on her journey to success.
