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PremiumVinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Highlights: The Court of Arbitration for Sports has deferred its final verdict on ace Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's plea against her disqualification at the Paris Olympics. In her appeal, Phogat also requested a joint silver as she was found overweight after she won the semi-final in Paris.
In a major development in Vinesh Phogat's court hearing against her Olympics disqualification, senior advocate Haris Salve, on Thursday, agreed to represent Phogat at the Court of Arbitration for Sports.
The hearing of the Court of Arbitration for Sports in the case has been concluded. The Court of Arbitration had been slated to announce the final verdict in the case on Saturday at 6 pm Paris Time (ie 9:30 pm IST). This has now been deferred to August 11, but expected by 9:30 PM IST on 13 August.
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Rei Higuchi — who won a gold medal in the men's 57kg category — has urged Vinesh Phogat to go back on her retirement decision. He shared a message on social media recalli how he was disqualified from the Tokyo Olympics for being overweight by just 50 grams during the pre-match weigh-in.
"I understand your pain the best. Same 50g. Don't worry about the voices around you. Life goes on. Rising from setbacks is the most beautiful thing. Take a good rest," Higuchi wrote on X
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing LIVE: The Indian has demanded that she be given a joint silver with Lopez as she was within the prescribed weight limit during her bouts on Tuesday.
"Since the matter is sub-judice, IOA can only state that the Sole Arbitrator Dr. Annabelle Bennett AC SC (Australia) heard all parties applicant Vinesh Phogat, the respondents United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee as well as IOA as an interested party over three hours," the IOA stated.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing LIVE: Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia urged people to fight against “dictatorship" in India after he was released from jail on Friday. Without naming the wrestler, Sisodia noted that she had protested against the BJP and its leader, and people saw what happened at the Olympics.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing LIVE: The hearing concluded in Paris on Friday after the court accepted the wrestler's appeal against her ouster for being 100gm overweight on the morning of her final match. The Indian has demanded that she be given a joint silver with Lopez as she was within the prescribed weight limit during her bouts on Tuesday.
Phogat was represented by a team of French lawyers as well as high-profile senior advocates Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania.
Aman Sehrawat weighed 61.5kg after his semifinal defeat on Thursday — exactly 4.5 kilograms more than the permissible limit in the men's 57kg.
The 'mission' began almost immediately after his 6:30 pm defeat with a one-and-a-half-hour mat session during which the two senior coaches engaged him in standing wrestling and it was followed by a one-hour hot-bath session. At 12:30 they hit the gym, where Aman had a non-stop one-hour run on the treadmill. The sweating would help in cutting weight. He was then given a 30-minute break, followed by five sessions of 5-minute sauna bath. By the end of the last session, Aman still weighed 900g more. He was given a massage and then the coaches asked the Chhatarsal trainee to do light jogging. It was followed by five 15-minute running sessions. By 4:30am, Aman was weighing 56.9kg -- 100g less. The coaches and the wrestler heaved a sigh of relief. In between these sessions, Aman was given lukewarm water with lemon and honey and a bit of coffee to drink. He did not sleep all night.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing LIVE: The Court of Arbitration for Sports will announce the final decision on wrestler Vinesh Phogat's plea challenging her Olympics disqualification today at 6 pm Paris time (9:30 pm IST). The CAS will likely decide on her request to award a joint Silver medal.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: The hearing of Vinesh Phogat's case concluded on Friday. There has been no exact date for the announcement of the verdict, but the ad-hoc division has said that a decision can be expected before the end of the Olympic Games on Sunday.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: AAP leader Manish Sisodia on Saturday targeted the BJP government over the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat from Olympics and without taking the wrestler's name, said she protested against its leader and people saw what happened at the Olympics.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: After coming out of jail, AAP leader Manish Sisodia targeted BJP government over the recent disqualification of Vinesh Phogat at Paris Olympics and said, “she protested against your leader, we saw what happened at Olympics," reported PTI.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: During the hearing on Friday, the CAS in a statement said that Vinesh Phogat had not requested “urgent interim measures" following her ouster.
The appeal was, however, turned down, with the court later saying that there was ‘too little time to process a hearing’. (Read full story here)
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: Indian wrestler won semi-finals at Paris Olympics 2024 and secured her silver medal. Before her semi final match, Vinesh Phogat weighed in just close to 50 kg and qualify for the match. But during the second weigh-in, her weight was more than 50 KG. Next day before final match, Phogat was found 100 gram more than 50 kg and was disqualified from the match.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: The CAS established an ad hoc division in Paris. The division is led by US President Michael Lenard, to handle cases during the Olympics. This division is located within the Paris judicial court in the 17th arrondissement.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: Council of Arbitration for Sports, CAS Ad hoc Division released a statement after Vinesh Phogat filed a plea against her Olympics disqualification.
In a statement, CAS said, "An application was filed at the CAS Ad hoc Division at 16:45 CEST on 7 August 2024 by Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat (the Applicant) in relation to the decision taken by United World Wrestling (UWW) to replace her, because of her failed second weigh-in, before the gold medal match of the Women's Freestyle 50kg competition at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 that was due to commence at 18:15 CEST the same day (the Challenged Decision)."
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: The decision to award former Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat a silver medal will be taken by the Court of Arbitration for Sports on Friday.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach has opened up on the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the final of women's 50 kg wrestling at the Paris Olympics.
In a media statement, Bach said that IOC will "follow the Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) decision".
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: Indian Olympics Association is hoping for a positive outcome after the hearing of Vinesh Phogat's plea concluded on Friday.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: The night before her Olympics final, Vinesh Phogat tried her best to reduce her weight. Phogat and her supporting staff opted for several tricks and rigorous exercise sessions, such as keeping her completely off food or liquids and spending an entire night working out to shed the extra weight.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: Responding to the question about the possibility of awarding two silver medals in a weight category, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach said, "No, if you ask in such a general way. But allow me to comment on this individual case.
“There the regulations of the international federation have to be followed and the international federation, United World Wrestling (UWW), was taking this decision," he added.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, Thomas Bach, on Friday said that he has a “certain understanding" of Vinesh Phogat. The ace Indian grappler has challenged her disqualification from Olympic finals in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). At the same time, Bach also said that he wondered where would one draw the line after allowing small concessions in certain situations.
"I must say, I have a certain understanding for the wrestler; it's clearly a human touch," said Bach, during an IOC media conference here.
"Now, it's (appeal) in CAS. We will, at the end, follow the CAS decision. But, again, the international (wrestling) federation, they have to apply their interpretation, their rules. This is their responsibility," he added.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: If the verdict of the case is announced in favour of Vinesh Phogat, then the Indian grappler will be awarded a joint silver with Cuban wrestler Lopez as she was within the prescribed weight limit during her bouts on Tuesday.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on Friday showed support for Vinesh Phogat, whose appeal against her disqualification has been heard at CAS. The decision is likely to be announced before the conclusion of Paris Olympics.
On Friday, Tendulkar shared his statement on X,
"Every sport has rules and those rules need to be seen in context, maybe even revisited at times. Vinesh Phogat qualified fair and square for the finals. Her disqualification by weight was before the finals, and hence, for her to be robbed of a deserving silver medal defies logic and sporting sense.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: The Indian Olympics Association (IOA) remains hopeful for a possible positive outcome on Vinesh Phogat's plea after the CAS ad-hoc division, set up especially for dispute resolution during the Games, concluded the hearing on Friday.
"Indian Olympic Association remained hopeful of a positive resolution of wrestler Vinesh Phogat's application before the Ad hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her failed weigh-in," the IOA said in a statement.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said they will “follow the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision". Vinesh was set to compete against the United States of America's Sarah Ann Hildebrandt for the gold medal but was disqualified on Wednesday for breaching the weight limit by just 100 grams. After her disqualification, Phogat requested the CAS to award her the silver medal.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: Thomas Bach — the President of the International Olympic Committee — said that it was unlikely to have two silver medals awarded.
“If you ask generally of having two silver medals in one category then my answer is no. There are the regulations of the International Federation that have to be followed and the International Federation, United World Wrestling was taking this decision...Looking at the federation or everybody who has to make such a decision then when and where do you make the cut? Do you say with 100 grams we give it, but with 102 grams we don't give it anymore?... Now it's in CAS, we will in the end follow the CAS decision. But again, the International Federation, they have to apply and interpret their rules. So this is their responsibility," he said.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: Harbhajan expressed his disappointment at the disqualification and the wrestler's subsequent retirement.
“It's very disappointing and sad to see Vinesh not being able to play the final just because she was overweight by 100gm. If you see, 100gm is nothing but rules are such in Olympics and they are for everyone. Obviously as an athlete, she must be going through a lot. All we can say is we stand with her in this difficult period and hopefully she will recover one day because it's very hard for anyone to go through this as she was just close to getting medal for India. It's very disappointing not to see her with the gold medal but she is our gold medal, she is our pride, she is nation's hero," he said.
He refused to dwell on if the issue could have been handled better.
"Of course they have got the team, they have worked really hard to get the situation right but unfortunately that didn't happen."
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said a judge in Paris is holding a hearing Friday on Phogat’s appeal. The decision is “expected to be issued before the end of the Olympic Games". The closing ceremony is Sunday and medals already were awarded in Phogat’s event.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: The legendary cricketer batted for Phogat to be awarded a silver medal as the Court of Arbitration for Sport began hearing arguments on Friday.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: Sarah Hildebrandt won the Olympic gold in a match against Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba following the disqualification of Phogat.
“As a big weight cutter myself, yeah, I feel for her. She had an amazing day yesterday, did an insane feat and, you know, I don’t think she saw that happening, ending her Olympics like that. So for sure, my heart goes out to her. I think she’s an amazing competitor, an amazing wrestler and person," Hildebrandt told AP.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: The perils of weight-cutting have become a topic of discussion amid the Olympic games following the disqualification. One of her teammates recently told Reuters she had practically starved herself for a week to make the weight, in addition to taking drastic measures to lose more weight, including extreme restrictions on her water intake.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: The wrestler found herself around 100 grams over the weight limit on Wednesday morning after spending the entire night trying frantically to lose weight.
Cutting weight is a widespread practice in Olympic wrestling and in other sports with weight categories. Athletes tend to restrict their food and fluid intake before weigh-ins and combine that with activities that induce sweating such as training or using a sauna. Restricting fluid and food intake leads to weakness, which is counterproductive to high-level athletic performance. After weigh-ins, athletes will consume high-energy foods to restore their bodies and prepare them for competition.
Phogat had to consume water before her three bouts on Tuesday to prevent dehydration but her weight increased more than planned, causing her team to take extreme measures overnight.
“We had tried all possible drastic measures throughout the night, including cutting off her hair, shortening her clothes but despite all of this we could not make it," said Dinshaw Paudiwala — the chief medical officer of the India delegation.
Vinesh was later administered intravenous fluids.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: The Court of Arbitration for Sport is an independent institution that provides arbitration or mediation in sports-related disputes through . It was established in 1984 and has its headquarters in Switzerland. It operates under the administrative and financial authority of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport.
It has courts in New York City and Sydney, and sets up temporary courts in Olympic host cities. The CAS has established an ad hoc division in Paris, led by President Michael Lenard from the US, to handle cases during the Olympics. This division is located within the Paris judicial court in the 17th arrondissement.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: Wrestling Federation of India president Sanjay Singh said that the Indian grappler should rethink the decision.
“She announced her retirement with a heavy heart. After reaching India, she should discuss with her family, Federation, sports federations and then make a decision because she is a good wrestler. She has performed so well. So, we think it is not right for her to make a decision in haste. She should rethink," he told ANI.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: United World Wrestling — the international governing body for the sport — had previously made it known to the Indian Olympic Association that the current weigh-in rule that led to the disqualification of Vinesh cannot be changed. UWW Chief Nenad Lalovic also insisted that it will be ‘impossible’ to award a silver medal to Phogat. Any hopes of Vinesh getting a silver medal now hinge on the CAS ruling.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: The wrestler noted that her weight gain was part of the body's natural recovery process and argued that she did not commit any fraud. She also reminded that her weight had been within the prescribed limit on day 1.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat is appealing to be awarded a joint silver medal after facing disqualification in the Paris Olympic finals. The Indian Olympic Association has roped in renowned senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania to help Phogat present her case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport ad hoc division on Friday.
Phogat beat defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan on Tuesday, then won quarterfinal and semifinal matches to advance to the final. She was however disqualified the next morning after being around 100 grams overweight during the weigh-in ceremony.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: The Court of Arbitration for Sport is slated to begin hearing the case from 5:30 pm IST.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: Phogat had always competed in the 53kg category. This time Antim Panghal qualified in that division and she had to slash weight to compete in the 50 kg category.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: The Court of Arbitration for Sport said on Friday that the Vinesh Phogat matter has been referred to Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC (AUS), sitting as a Sole Arbitrator. The Sole Arbitrator's decision is expected to be issued before the end of the Olympic Games.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: The competition is held across two days and on both days, competing wrestlers need to undergo weight check. On the first day of the competition, the wrestler needs to wear his singlet (wrestling apparel) and get his/her weight measured multiple times in a 30 minute window.
Also the medical examination should clear them of any contagious diseases, their nails need to be clipped.
Those who qualify for the gold medal, bronze medal play-offs and repechage bouts again have to come for weigh in on the second day.
But on the second day, the window for weigh-in is only 15 minutes and on the morning of the competition. This is where Vinesh's weight was found to be 50.1 kg. Once the 15 minute window was over, Vinesh's medal hopes were dashed.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: A popular theory doing the rounds is that Phogat should have been declared as injured by her team in order to retain the silver. But the rule wouldn't have permitted her to do so and she would have still been disqualified for missing the weigh-in ceremony.
The rule states that if a wrestler sustains injury during the competition on the first day, he/she doesn't need to appear on the second day for weigh-in. However, if a wrestler gets injured after the competition on first day or contracts any disease or illness, he still needs to appear for the weigh-in before he/she can give a walkover.
Vinesh wasn't injured during the competition on first day so she had to appear for the weigh-ins.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: Athletes often find themselves losing weight rapidly in order to qualify for their match category. Common methods include restricted food and water intake, exercise and perspiration through various means. After qualifying, the athletes then replenish themselves before taking part in the match. The United World Wrestling decision to disqualify Phogat has put the spotlight on ‘weight cutting’ and the many dangers it presents. American gold medalists Hildebrand and Amit Elor also said this week that more weight classes need to be added so it is less difficult to make weight.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: Phogat had initially sought a decision from the CAS ad hoc division that would have annulled her ouster and led to another weigh-in before the final match. She had also sought to be declared "declared eligible and qualified to participate in the final".
“However, she did not request urgent interim measures. The CAS Ad hoc Division procedure is fast, but it was not possible for a decision on the merits to be issued within an hour, bearing in mind that the Respondent UWW would have had to be heard first. The procedure is, however, ongoing and the Applicant has confirmed that she seeks the annulment of the Challenged Decision and that she requests to be awarded a (shared) silver medal," read a CAS press note.
American wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt (initially slated to fight Phogat) won the gold medal. Yusneylys Guzmán (previously defeated by Phogat) settled for silver after being elevated to the gold medal match. The bronze medals went to China's Feng Ziqi and Japan's Yui Susaki.
If the CAS verdict favours Phogat, the Olympic Committee will have to award her a joint silver medal.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: A verdict is expected by August 11.
“The matter has been referred to the Hon. Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC (AUS), sitting as a Sole Arbitrator, who will hold a hearing with the parties today. The Sole Arbitrator’s decision is expected to be issued before the end of the Olympic Games," read an excerpt from the CAS press note.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: United World Wrestling competition rules stipulate that a wrestler's results would be annulled if they do not make the weight on either day of competition. Phogat was disqualified from the competition for being 100gm over the stipulated 50kg on the second day of her competition. She had made the weight on the first day and won three bouts on her way to the final.
Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: CAS verdicts are typically delivered within a few hours or by the next day. Another date can be given in case the judge feels the need to hear additional details.
A team of four pro bono French lawyers will represent Phogat in the Court of Arbitration for Sport ad hoc division. Harish Salve and Vidhushpat Singhania will be part of the case as amicus curiae brief (translated from Latin as a 'friend of the court')
