Why did Vinesh Phogat Get Disqualified? Know the Rules Behind this Decision

Bad luck for India continues. Vinesh Phogat got disqualified after being found overweight on the morning before her 50 kg gold medal match, according to the Indian Express.

As per media sources, Vinesh Phogat was almost 100 grams over the permissible weight limit, which means she will not be eligible for a podium finish according to the tournament rules.

Why was Vinesh Phogat Disqualified?

Phogat met the weight limit for her bouts on Tuesday. However, wrestlers must stay within their weight category on both days of the competition. According to reports, Phogat was nearly two kilograms over the limit on Tuesday night.

Indian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat disqualified from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg for being overweight.

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… pic.twitter.com/xYrhzA1A2U

— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2024

She tried her hardest to lose the extra weight, spending the entire night jogging, skipping, and cycling without any sleep. The Indian delegation asked for more time for her to reach the required weight, but their request was denied. As a result, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the competition.

This is not the first time that Vinesh Phogat faced this type of situation. She encountered a similar challenge during the Olympic qualifiers, just barely making the weight limit. Phogat typically competes in the 53 kg category.

What are the Rules?

Medical Examination:

• Wrestlers must have a medical check on the first morning of the competition.
• Without this check, they cannot participate in the weigh-in.
• Wrestlers must show their license and accreditation during the medical check and weigh-in.
• Wrestlers must be in excellent physical condition, including having very short fingernails.

Weigh-In Procedure:

• Wrestlers must wear only their singlet for the weigh-in.
• No weight allowance is given for the singlet.
• During the weigh-in period, wrestlers can step on the scale multiple times.
• Referees ensure wrestlers meet weight requirements and wear the correct attire.
• Wrestlers who are not in proper attire will not be weighed.

Participation and Attendance:

• Referees will only control athletes listed in the official draw.
• If a wrestler misses or fails the weigh-in on either day, they will be disqualified and ranked last.

However, in case of a wrestler getting injured on the first day, they do not need to weigh in on the second day and can keep their first-day results.

In case of Vinesh Phogat, she failed to meet the weigt criteria on her second dayt, as a result of which she was disqualified.

Will Vinesh Phogat Get Silver Medal?

As per the Olympic rules, Phogat will be deemed ineligible even for the silver medal. The 50 kg category finals held between USA wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt and Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who was defeated by Vinesh Phogat in the quarter final bout. Hildebrandt emerged as the winner, while Lopez got the silver medal.

On Tuesday, Vinesh Phogat became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final. She had major wins, defeating world number one, the defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan, and other competitors from Ukraine and Cuba. 

Phogat was supposed to face Sarah Hildebrandt in the final, a wrestler she had beaten before. However, due to her weight issue Phogat will have to leave the competition without any medal.