Paris, Aug 7 (IANS) In what will be a major heartbreak for Indian wrestling, Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the women’s 50kg event at the Paris Olympics after being weighed "few grams over" the permissible limits on Wednesday morning.
"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 the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand," the Indian Olympic Association said.
Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2024
Today's setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing.
At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always…
Heartbreaking 💔💔💔💔💔 to know that Vinesh is Disqualified for the Final match . @Phogat_Vinesh You are our pride. Keep ur chin up .. you are our Gold Medal 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/Qd6NnZiFWe
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 7, 2024
VIDEO | Paris Olympics 2024: "It is very unfortunate that she has been disqualified by a very small margin. Vinesh was very close to winning a gold medal. Everyone had high hopes from her. What happened was very disheartening?" says AAP MP Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) on… pic.twitter.com/PS1BLKIrgz
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 7, 2024
Moreover, the Indian grappler will be placed last as per UWW rules.
Vinesh on Tuesday became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the final of an Olympic Games after she defeated Cuba's Yusneylys Guzman 5-0 in the semifinal.
She started her campaign by stunning world No. 1, Japan's four-time World Champion and Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Yui Susaki, who was undefeated in 95 international matches, in her entire career as a wrestler.
इन बेटियों के रास्तों पर कांटे बोने वालों, ये बेटियां फिर खड़ी होंगी और फिर लड़ेंगी. ये बेटियां जीतेंगी जरूर!
— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) August 7, 2024
क्या हार में क्या जीत में
किंचित नहीं भयभीत मैं
संधर्ष पथ पर जो मिले यह भी सही वह भी सही।
वरदान माँगूँगा नहीं।।
चाहे हृदय को ताप दो
चाहे मुझे अभिशाप दो
कुछ भी करो… pic.twitter.com/10xwdvb4ic
We're devastated by @Phogat_Vinesh's disqualification on flimsy technical grounds!
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) August 7, 2024
The Indian Olympic Association must step up and contest this injustice.
INDIA bloc MPs took a firm stand, staging a protest outside the Parliament to demand justice for her!#VineshPhogat pic.twitter.com/JjmQ2ZyS2o
Waiting to hear the response from experts with integrity on this issue especially those at ground zero.
— Rahul Mehra (@TheRahulMehra) August 7, 2024
If it’s an unfortunate non compliance of the Rules despite best efforts by @Phogat_Vinesh and her entire team at Paris then obviously the matter needs to rest there. #Sad https://t.co/meObdL6ygd
You shall surely make an even bigger comeback our greatest sporting legend ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mYI8g21tYO
— Rahul Mehra (@TheRahulMehra) August 7, 2024
Vinesh then advanced to her maiden semifinals after beating Ukraine's Oksana Vasylivna Livach 7-5 in her second bout of the day.
A former World No.1 in 48kg, Vinesh was participating in her third Olympics. She missed out on a medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics because of an injury. She lost to Vanesa Kaladzinskaya in the 53kg quarterfinals in the Tokyo Olympics.
Vinesh is also the first Indian woman to have won gold at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games.