Vinesh Phogat, an Indian wrestler, retires following her devastating disqualification at Paris 2024

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from the ring on August 8 after being disqualified for being 100 grams overweight during the Paris Olympics. She defeated strong opponents, including the world champion Yui Susaki, but was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight before the 50 kg women’s freestyle wrestling gold medal bout.

Phogat stated; “Mother, wrestling won against me. I lost. Your dreams and my courage are shattered. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye wrestling 2001 – 2024. I will forever be indebted to all of you. Please forgive me.”

The official Paris 2024 statement emphasized the crucial role weight categories play in wrestling, emphasizing that weigh-ins are essential to ensure participants stay within their allotted boundaries.

Disqualified for being 100 grams overweight

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief medical officer, Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, draws attention to a widespread practice among wrestlers: competing in weight classes that are lighter than their natural weight.

Losing weight quickly entails a rigorous diet and hydration schedule, vigorous activity, and sauna sessions. This method can cause severe weakening and energy loss, despite its effectiveness. Athletes are fed high-energy foods and little water just after weigh-ins to counteract these effects and make sure they are strong enough to compete.

Dr Dinshaw said: “However, Vinesh was found to be 100 grams over her 50kg weight category, and hence, she was disqualified.”

She went to tremendous lengths to meet the weight limit, even shaving her hair. Despite all efforts to satisfy the requirement, the aim remained unattainable.

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