Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following her disqualification from the 50 kg category final at the Paris Olympics. Phogat, who was set to face the United States’ Sarah Ann Hildebrandt for the gold medal, was disqualified for exceeding the weight limit, on Wednesday.
Chief Medical Officer of the Indian Olympic contingent, Dinshaw Pardiwala, disclosed that Phogat’s weight surpassed the limit by 2.7 kg after her semi-final victory. He noted that efforts were made to bring her weight down by restricting her food and water intake, but they proved insufficient.
According to an Indian Olympic Association (IOA) source, Phogat has requested that CAS award her the silver medal. The verdict from CAS is anticipated on Thursday morning. “Vinesh Phogat has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her disqualification, asking for the silver medal. CAS will give its verdict tomorrow morning,” the source told ANI.
Phogat had reached the gold medal match by defeating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals. Her disqualification has sparked reactions from various quarters, including IOA President PT Usha, who expressed shock and disappointment. Usha confirmed that Phogat is physically and medically fine but is understandably disheartened. She mentioned that the support staff is working diligently to help Phogat manage her weight.
“After hearing the news that Vinesh Phogat is disqualified, I am shocked and disappointed. I had come here to meet Vinesh; she is physically and medically okay. Mentally, she is disappointed. Our support staff is with her, trying their best to help her reduce weight,” PT Usha said.
So far, India has secured three bronze medals in shooting at the Paris Olympics. The country narrowly missed additional medals, finishing fourth in events such as the 10m air rifle, 25m pistol, skeet team, badminton singles, and mixed archery team events.
