Olympic gold dream shattered because athlete is too heavy
Vinesh Vinesh becomes the first Indian wrestler to reach an Olympic final, but is then disqualified for being overweight despite "trying all night". It's the latest chapter in her tumultuous career. Even Indian Prime Minister Modi sympathizes with her.
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's gold medal dream at the Paris Olympics burst dramatically. The 29-year-old was overweight at the morning weigh-in on the second day of competition and was disqualified. Despite the team's "best efforts throughout the night," she was "a few grams over" the 50kg limit, India's Olympic delegation said.
Even Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi weighed in, expressing shock at the athlete's elimination. "Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration to every Indian," he wrote on X. "I wish words could express the sense of despair I feel. Yet, I know you embody resilience." He hoped the athlete would bounce back stronger and wished her luck, Modi said.
Vinesh fights for justice in India
Vinesh made history on Tuesday by becoming the first Indian wrestler to reach an Olympic final. Along the way, she defeated Japanese top favorite Yui Susaki. The former Asian champion and two-time world bronze medalist has gained significant attention in her home country not just for her mat achievements, but also for her advocacy for justice in sports.
Vinesh was one of the leading figures in Indian wrestlers' protests against the then-WFI president Brij Bhushan last year, who was accused of sexual harassment and intimidation. During a protest march to the newly inaugurated parliament building in New Delhi in late May 2023, Vinesh and several other athletes were temporarily detained. The WFI was later suspended by the United World Wrestling (UWW).
Despite the disappointing disqualification in Paris, Vinesh's fight for justice in India continues to garner support. Her prominent role in the wrestlers' protests against alleged misconduct in the Wrestling Federation of India last year has kept her in the spotlight.
