Why Vinesh Phogat Changed Her Weight Class To Enter The 50 Kg Event At Paris Olympics: Explained

It is significant to note that this was not the category in which Vinesh Phogat competed until recently. The switch to 50 kg was made during the trails in Patiala ahead of Paris Olympics 2024.

While India had a mixed day on August 6 (Tuesday) at the Paris Olympics where they experienced the highs of high with Vinesh Phogat having assured the country of a medal by becoming the first female wrestler from India to reach an Olympic final, it ended in a bit of a heartbreak with the Indian hockey team losing the semifinal to Germany.

On Wedneday (August 7), however, it was a heartbreaking news when it was confirmed that Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from Paris Olympics, implying she would be returning home empty handed. The reason was that the star grappler was found overweight before her gold medal bout which meant she would be unranked in the competition.

It is important to note that this was not Vinesh's preferred weight category. She had been participating in the 53 kg category and made the switch to 50 kg after the Indian wrestling federation decided to go ahead with World Championships bronze medallist Antim Panghal in the 53 category. The switch was made for the first time during the trials held at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports in Patiala.

Vinesh Phogat Struggles To Cut Weight For 50kg Category 

Phogat's natural body weight happens to be around 55-56 kg which she loses to match the 50 kg requirement for competition days. However, she has found it difficult to maintain a body weight below her natural tendency of the body to hover around the 55-56 kgs mark.

READ HERE | PM Modi Asks Olympics Body To Appeal Against Vinesh Phogat's Disqualification. Can It Be Overturned?

This is because there is very less weight to cut from there on and she even tends to not drink water and sweat it out to reduce the weight, drastic measures which she reportedly even took before the final only to be weighed in a 100 grams overweight when the weight was taken on the morning of the final. Even though various options are being explored against the decision to disqualify Vinesh Phogat, as things stand, it looks extrememly unlikely going by the rules and regulations that the decision will be overturned.