On the morning of Wednesday (August 7), the entire nation was rocked by the shocking news of Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024. Set to compete in the Women's 50kg final against USA's Sarah Ann Hildebrandt, the star grappler was disqualified for being slightly overweight just hours before her gold medal match.
Vinesh previously competed in the 53kg category. She had made significant weight adjustments to participate in the 50kg category for 2024 Paris Olympics.
Vinesh Phogat Disqualified From Paris Olympics 2024 Due To Weight Violation
According to United World Wrestling's regulations, wrestlers must meet the weight limit exactly, with no tolerance allowed for discrepancies.
This strict adherence to weight limits is enforced during the official weigh-ins, which occur each morning of the competition. Despite Vinesh's previous success in the 53kg category and her efforts to cut down to 50kg, the slight excess in weight led to her being barred from the gold medal match.
United World Wrestling, Chapter 3 - Competition Procedure; Article 11 - Weigh-in:
"For all competitions, the weigh-in is organized each morning for the concerned weight category. The weigh-in and medical control last 30 minutes. On the second morning of the concerned weight category, only the wrestlers who participate in the repechages and finals need to come for the weigh-in, which will last 15 minutes.
"No wrestler may be accepted at the weigh-in if they have not undergone a medical examination on the first morning. Wrestlers must appear at the medical examination and the weigh-in with their license and accreditation.
"The only uniform allowed for the weigh-in is the singlet. After being examined by qualified physicians, who are obliged to eliminate any wrestler who presents a danger of contagious disease, the wrestler can be weighed in. No weight tolerance will be allowed for the singlet.
"Contestants must be in perfect physical condition, with their fingernails cut very short.
"Throughout the entire weigh-in period, wrestlers have the right, each in turn, to get on the scale as many times as they wish.
"The referees responsible for the weigh-in must ensure that all wrestlers meet the weight requirements for their category, fulfill all the requirements of Article 5, and inform any wrestler of the risk they face if they present themselves in incorrect attire. Referees will refuse to weigh a wrestler who is not dressed correctly.
"The referees responsible for the weigh-in will receive the results of the draw and will be allowed to control only the athletes on this list. If an athlete does not attend or fails the weigh-in (either the first or second weigh-in), they will be eliminated from the competition and ranked last, without a ranking (Exception: cf. Article 56-Medical Service Intervention)."