Vinesh Phogat was one of the biggest stories for India at the Paris Olympics 2024. To begin with, Vinesh was slotted into the 50 kg Women's wrestling category after Antim Panghal became the first choice for her preferred category due to her consistent performances. Then Vinesh had almost a dream run up to the final as she beat Yui Susaki who had never lost a match in international wrestling on her way to the gold medal bout.
Vinesh was guaranteed of a silver medal. However, the wrestler was disqualified hours before her gold medal match as she was found 100 grams overweight and returned to India empty-handed. Vinesh later filed an official complaint at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) demanding that she be given a joint-silver. However, the initial verdict has come against her.
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I Have Done Weight Management For The Last So Many Years: Mary Kom
Nevertheless, Vinesh got a hero's welcome when she returned to India with her villagers even giving her a symbolic gold medal. However, Mary Kom, India's bronze medallist boxer, seemed to take a dig at Phogat claiming that the weight management is the athlete's own responsibility and one should not blame anyone. The legendary pugilist was quick to point out though that the she was saying that in her case and refrained from making a direct remark on Vinesh.
"I felt so disappointed in the sense that I have also done the same (weight management) for the last so many years. Weight is important, that is my responsibility. I cannot blame anyone," Mary Kom told news agency PTI.
"I do not want to say this in her case. I am saying this in my case only. If I do not cut the weight properly then how will I play? I am there to win a medal and that is what I think," she added.