Olympic Sensation Shattered: Star Wrestler Disqualified After Stunning Upset

Vinesh Phogat would have been the first woman from India to wrestle in a final. Now, she won’t medal.

PARIS, France — India’s Vinesh Phogat has faced disqualification from the 50-kilogram Olympic wrestling final for failing to meet weight requirements. This unexpected turn of events has reshaped medal match arrangements.

Phogat triumphed over Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semifinals. However, her disqualification has now advanced Guzman Lopez to the gold medal match.

Phogat made an impressive run at the Paris Games. She set the tone by defeating four-time world and defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan. The Indian wrestler was seemingly unstoppable, edging out Ukraine’s Oksana Livach 7-5 in the quarterfinals and triumphing over Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semifinals.

Yet, Team India announced her disqualification on social media: “Despite best efforts through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning.”

Phogat’s disqualification forced a reshuffle. Guzman Lopez will now face American Sarah Hildebrandt, who overcame Mongolia’s Otgonjargal Dolgorjav 5-0, in the gold medal match.

This change has also impacted the bronze medal scenarios. Susaki, who previously lost to Phogat, will compete against Livach for one bronze medal slot. The other bronze match remains unchanged, pairing China’s Feng Ziqi against Dolgorjav.

The incident has cast a spotlight on Phogat’s career. Although she had never placed higher than ninth at the Olympics or third at a world championship, her performance in Paris was groundbreaking until the weight issue arose.

Phogat is a prominent figure in India, known for advocating against alleged sexual misconduct within the sport. She and other female wrestlers were detained in New Delhi after a protest against officials, including the Wrestling Federation of India’s former president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.