Vinesh Phogat Faces Stunning Disqualification in Quest for Gold

PARIS, France — Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s victory in the 50-kilogram category at the Olympic Games has taken an unexpected turn. On Wednesday, she was disqualified for failing to make weight, a decision that has reverberated through the wrestling community and forced organizers to adjust the medal matches accordingly.

Phogat had initially secured her spot in the finals by defeating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semifinals on Tuesday. However, her disqualification moved Guzman Lopez into the gold medal match on Wednesday night.

Phogat’s journey at the Paris Games was remarkable. She stunned four-time world champion and defending Olympic gold medalist Yui Susaki of Japan in her first match, setting a strong precedent. Phogat then overcame Ukraine’s Oksana Livach 7-5 in the quarterfinals and Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semifinals. These successive victories had positioned her to become the first Indian woman to compete in an Olympic wrestling final.

Nevertheless, Team India announced her disqualification on social media, citing that she was a few grams over the 50-kilogram limit despite numerous efforts to make weight overnight.

Phogat’s exclusion has opened the door for Guzman Lopez to compete for gold against American wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt earned her place in the final after defeating Mongolia’s Otgonjargal Dolgorjav 5-0 in her semifinal match.

In wrestling, two bronze medals are awarded per weight class. Phogat’s disqualification has prompted a reshuffle in the bronze medal contest as well. Susaki, previously defeated by Phogat, will face Livach in one of the two bronze medal matches. The other bronze match will pair China’s Feng Ziqi against Dolgorjav, whose bout remains unaffected by the disqualification.

The disqualification raises questions, as it’s unclear if Phogat had previously failed to make weight in any competition. Before her impressive showing in Paris, her highest Olympic finish was ninth, and her best at a world championship was third place.

Phogat is a well-known figure in India not only for her athletic achievements but also for her activism. In 2023, she and other female wrestlers were detained by police in New Delhi during a protest against allegations of sexual misconduct within the sport. The protest specifically targeted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, then-president of the Wrestling Federation of India, who was later replaced by Sanjay Kumar Singh.