Vinesh Phogat disqualified: Conspiracy charges, slugfest; who is to blame for wrestler being overweight before final?

It was heartbreak for lakhs of Indians as wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics after she weighed in 100 grams extra before the women's 50kg final against American Sarah Hildebrandt.

Vinesh Phogat Disqualified Live Updates:

Phogat, who was assured of silver and close to getting gold, would now come back home empty-handed.

Following her disqualification, she was also admitted to the polyclinic inside the Games village due to dehydration. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief PT Usha met her and said that she was doing fine.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the government have assured Phogat of full support. The IOA has lodged a strong protest with United World Wrestling (UWW). Usha said she was going to meet the World Wrestling Federation president also.

According to international rules, any grappler found overweight at the time of weigh-in ends up at the bottom of the final standings.

However, Phogat's disqualification has led to charges of conspiracy and political slugfest. INDIA bloc MPs also staged a protest at Makar Dwar in Parliament, seeking justice for the wrestler.

What IOA said:

— It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the women's wrestling 50kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning.

What Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said:

— Addressing the Lok Sabha, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, “Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was playing in the 50 kg category. It was mandatory for her to have 50kg weight for competition. She was disqualified as her weight was found to be 50 kg and 100 grams."

— “The Indian Olympic Association has lodged a strong protest with the United World Wrestling (UWW). IOA President PT Usha is in Paris. The prime minister spoke to her and asked her to take necessary action,” the minister said.

Saina Nehwal blames Vinesh

Saina Nehwal has blamed the Indian wrestler for the ‘mistake’. She called Phogat a ‘fighter’ known for making strong comebacks. Saina assured that next time Vinesh Phogat would secure a medal. However, Saina thinks Vinesh Phogat should be blamed for the disqualification.

Politicians claim conspiracy…

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said that 140 crore Indians are stunned today by the sudden disqualification of Vinesh Phogat and termed it a black day for Indian Sports.

“Modi Government has failed Indian sportspersons and the sports arena... Let us not forget that this is the same Vinesh Phogat who protested at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for 140 days in 2023 as the Modi Government looked sideways and did not give justice to her. We don't want a consolation tweet from the Prime Minister, we want justice from him,” said Surjewala.

“A hateful conspiracy has been unleashed against the daughter of India, Vinesh Phogat,” Surjewala said in another social media post.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak, in a post on X, said, "Many indicating towards a conspiracy… Who can be behind this... ?"

Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that she was unable to comprehend what had happened. "But whatever it is, is very unfortunate. I feel there is a conspiracy... How can it be possible that a player of her stature does not know the value of her weight," Badal told ANI.

Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should talk to the Olympics chief.

What the Chief Medical Officer said:

Dr Dinshaw Paudiwala, Chief Medical Officer of the Indian Contingent, said Phogat's nutritionist felt that the usual amount she takes is 1.5kg of nutrition over the day which gives her enough energy for the bouts.

— Sometimes there is a factor of rebound weight gain following a competition.

— Phogat had three bouts, and to prevent dehydration, some amount of water had to be given.

— We found that her post-participation weight had increased more than normal and the coach initiated the normal process of weight cut that he has always used with Phogat.

— Overnight we went ahead with the weight-cut procedure. Despite all efforts, we found her weight was 100 grams over her 50kg weight category.

— We tried all possible drastic measures including cutting her hair and shortening her clothes. Despite this, we could not make that 50kg weight category.

Come back stronger: PM Modi

After Vinesh's disqualification, PM Modi took to X to extend his support to the wrestler and said, “Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today's setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing. At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you.”