How are Wrestlers Selected for the Olympics Based on Weight? Check All the Details Here!

Vineesh Phogat, a talented Indian wrestler, was disqualified from the finals for being 100 grams overweight, which was more than the allowed limit. This incident sparked controversy and debate about the importance of strict weight regulations in wrestling competitions. 

So, to help you understand how wrestlers are chosen for the Olympics, here are the steps involved in the selection process:

Understanding Weight Categories in Olympic Wrestling

According to Article 7 of United World Wrestling, each contestant deemed to be taking part in his/her own free will and responsible for himself/herself shall be allowed to compete in only one weight category: the one corresponding to his weight at the time of the official weigh-in. 

For categories in the senior age group, competitors may opt for the next higher category than their body weight, except for the heavyweight category, for which contestants must weigh over 97 kg for freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling and over 72 kg for women’s wrestling.

The 18 categories for each wrestling category are:

2024 Weigh-in Rules for the Paris Olympics

Recently, the disqualification of Vineesh Phogat has sparked a debate on the fairness of rules and regulations in sports. The Indian wrestler qualified for the 50 kg freestyle wrestling category at the Paris Olympics but was later disqualified due to being overweight.

However, when last checked, she was 2 kg over the weight limit and was told to reduce her weight before the competition. Just before the match, which was today, she had reduced to 1.5 kg but was still deemed ineligible to compete since she was 100 grams over the weight limit.

This incident has raised questions about the strict enforcement of rules in sports and the impact it can have on athletes' careers. So, according to Article 11 of the United World Wrestling Convention:

Weigh-In Timing

• Wrestlers must weigh in each morning for their specific weight category.
• The initial weigh-in and medical control sessions last for 30 minutes.
• On the second day, for those in the repechage and finals, the weigh-in lasts 15 minutes.

Eligibility

• Wrestlers who fail to make weight on either day are disqualified from the competition.
• No leniency is given for minor weight overages.

Weigh-In Attire

• Wrestlers must wear their singlet during weigh-ins, and the weight of the singlet is not excluded.

Multiple Attempts

• Wrestlers can step on the scale multiple times within the designated weigh-in period.

Medical Examination

• A medical examination is mandatory on the first morning of the competition.
• Wrestlers who do not complete the medical examination are not allowed to weigh in.

Article 15: Elimination from the Competition

Elimination and Ranking:

• Losers are eliminated and ranked based on classification points, except those who lost to a finalist; they enter repechage for 3rd or 5th place.

Forfeiture:

• Wrestlers who do not show up for their match without a valid medical excuse will forfeit, be eliminated, and be ranked without a rank. The opponent wins the match by default.

Simulated Injuries:

• If a wrestler is found to be faking an injury to avoid competing, they will be disqualified, placed last, and marked with "Dsq."

Unsportsmanlike Conduct:

Wrestlers who cheat, commit serious errors, or act brutally will be immediately disqualified and eliminated by unanimous decision. They will be placed last with "Dsq" noted.

Double Disqualification:

• If two wrestlers are disqualified for brutality in the same match, both are eliminated. The pairing for the next round remains unchanged, and the opponent of a disqualified wrestler wins by default.

Semi-Final Disqualification:

• If two semi-finalists are disqualified, their quarter-final losers will compete in the semi-final, affecting the repechage group.
• If the semi-finals are in the evening, the bout will be held at the end of the session. On day 1, a one-hour preparation time is given.

Medal Match Disqualification:

• If disqualifications occur in medal matches (1-2 or 3-5), other wrestlers move up the ranking.
• If both finalists are disqualified, the two bronze medallists compete for 1st and 2nd place.
• The 5th-place wrestlers will move up to 3rd.

Ranking After Disqualification:

• Any wrestler forfeiting or disqualifying is ranked last, without a rank.

Conclusion

The Indian government and many sports enthusiasts are upset with the disqualification of Vineesh Phogat from the Olympics due to her being overweight. But these weigh-in rules made by the United World Wrestling Federation are in place to ensure fair competition and maintain the integrity of the sport. 

According to these rules, wrestlers are weighed before their matches on both competition days and must remain within their weight category each day to stay qualified for the event.

The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics feature 288 wrestlers in total—192 men and 96 women. This count is the same as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Individuals will compete for seven days at Paris' Champ-de-Mars Arena from August 5 to 11, with medal matches lasting six days.