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The Indian Olympic team faced a major setback when wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who had secured a spot in the gold medal match in the 50kg category, was disqualified for being overweight at Wednesday’s weigh-ins. Vinesh had made history on Tuesday night as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach a gold medal bout in her category.
PT Usha, the Indian Olympic Association chief, has reacted to Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification while in Paris. The former track and field star expressed her shock and confirmed that the IOA has filed an appeal with United World Wrestling (UWW).
In a video message, PT Usha said, “Vinesh's disqualification is very shocking. I met Vinesh at the Olympic village polyclinic a short while ago and assured her complete support of the Indian Olympic Association, the Government of India and the whole country,”
“We are giving Vinesh all the medical and emotional support she needs. The Wrestling Federation of India has filed an appeal with UWW to review her disqualification and is pursuing it strongly. I know Vinesh’s medical team worked tirelessly overnight to help her meet the competition requirements.”
Dr. Dinshaw Paudiwala, the Indian Olympic team's doctor, revealed alongside Usha that the team had to take drastic measures, including cutting Vinesh’s hair on Tuesday night, in a last-ditch effort to reduce her weight.
Dr. Pardiwala explained, “Vinesh’s nutritionist said she usually gains about 1.5 kg in a day for energy. After competing in three bouts, some water was given to prevent dehydration, but her weight increased more than expected afterward.”
He further added, "The coach initiated the process of weight cut that he had always employed with Vinesh. This was something that has worked with her for a long time. He felt confident. We went ahead with the weight-cut procedure."However, in morning, we found despite all of our efforts, her weight was 100 grams over her 50kg weight category. And hence, she was disqualified. We had tried all possible drastic measures throughout the night, including cutting off her hair, shortening her clothes.“Despite all of this, we couldn't make that 50kg weight category.”
Dr. Pardiwala added that after the disqualification, Vinesh underwent several tests to ensure her vital signs were normal.
"Following disqualification, as a precautionary measure, Vinesh was administered intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration. We ran some blood tests to ensure everything is normal. This process is going on a the Olympic hospital here. All of Vinesh's parameters during this weight cut were normal.
Vinesh spoke with IOA President PT Usha, expressing that while she feels physically and mentally fine, she is disappointed to be disqualified in her third Olympics.