Vinesh Phogat

Indian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Disqualified from Gold-Medal Bout at Paris Olympics

In a shocking turn of events at the Paris Olympics, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from her gold-medal bout on Wednesday morning. Phogat, who weighed in approximately 100 grams over the maximum limit for her 50-kilogram weight class, faced disqualification under international wrestling rules, thus forfeiting her place in the final against American Sarah Hildebrandt.

To put the weight excess into perspective, 100 grams is about 0.22 pounds or 3.5 ounces, roughly the weight of a bar of soap. This minor weight discrepancy resulted in Phogat being ranked last in her category, despite her impressive performance throughout the competition.

Reactions and Consequences

The wrestling community, particularly in India, was stunned by the news. U.S. wrestling icon Jordan Burroughs, commentating for NBC in Paris, expressed his dismay on Twitter, calling the situation “tragic” and stating that Phogat deserved to be on the podium.

Dinshaw Pardiwala, the chief medical officer of the Indian Olympic Association, revealed that Phogat employed extreme measures to shed weight during a sleepless night. These measures included spending time in a sauna, restricting fluids, and even cutting her hair. Despite her efforts, Phogat missed the weight requirement, leading to her disqualification. Notably, she was the first Indian wrestler to reach an Olympic final, and her potential gold or silver medal would have been a historic achievement for India at the Paris Games.

The Dark Side of Weight Cutting in Wrestling

Phogat’s disqualification has highlighted the extreme and often unhealthy practices associated with weight cutting in wrestling, particularly for women. Olympic gold medalist Amit Elor previously described weight cutting as “the dark side of the sport,” emphasizing its unnecessary promotion and detrimental effects, especially on young athletes.

“For women, weight cutting is very unhealthy and not recommended. It can ruin your relationship with the sport, making it more about dieting and feeling weak rather than focusing on wrestling,” said Elor, who won gold in the 68-kilogram category.

Weight Management Challenges

Weight management is a fundamental aspect of wrestling, but it poses significant challenges, especially for female athletes. Statistics from the National Eating Disorders Association indicate that women are more likely to develop eating disorders and experience body image dissatisfaction issues compared to men.

Elor, aged 20, expressed gratitude that her parents did not allow her to cut weight when she started wrestling. However, at the elite and professional levels, weight cutting is commonplace. Wrestlers competing for medals at the Paris Olympics, for example, must weigh in each morning of the competition, then rehydrate and refuel as needed.

Phogat’s Weight-Cutting Ordeal

Phogat’s intense weight-cutting efforts led to significant weight fluctuations over a 24-hour period. According to reports, she easily made weight on Tuesday morning but gained approximately 2.7 kilograms (about 6 pounds) throughout the day while rehydrating and refueling after her matches. Her nutritionist had anticipated a lower weight gain, and standard weight-cutting methods proved ineffective.

After failing to make weight, Phogat was hospitalized for potential dehydration and underwent blood tests. The Indian Olympic Association stated that she “feels perfectly well” but is understandably disappointed.

Burroughs criticized the situation, tweeting that no athlete should have to prepare for a gold medal in such a manner. He also suggested that Olympic organizers should award Phogat a silver medal.

A Call for Reform

Phogat’s disqualification underscores the need for a reevaluation of weight management practices in wrestling, particularly for female athletes. As the Paris Olympics continue, the wrestling community and sports officials must address the physical and mental health implications of weight cutting to ensure the well-being of athletes.

This incident serves as a critical reminder of the pressures athletes face and the urgent need for reforms that prioritize health over competition.