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New Delhi: The Wrestling Federation of India on Wednesday appealed against star athlete Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics for failing to meet the weight for the women’s 50kg final.
Last year, 29-year-old World Championship bronze medallist Phogat was in the public spotlight for months for his long protest against the then Indian wrestling chief.
She was set to compete against American Sarah Hildebrandt for the gold medal but was found to be overweight for her weight class.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has appealed to global governing body World Wrestling Federation to reconsider its decision to disqualify Phogat.
“Despite the best efforts of the staff throughout the night, she had gained a few grams this morning and weighed over 50 kg,” the Orthopaedic Association of India said in a statement.
Indian Olympic Committee president PT Usha said Phogat’s disqualification was “extremely shocking”, adding that the team was providing “all medical and emotional support” to Phogat.
This was Fugate’s third Olympics and she was considered a strong favourite to win gold, but her absence caused consternation at home.
“I hope words can express the despair I am going through,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on social media.
“Come back stronger! We’re all behind you.”
Last year, Phogat helped lead a weeks-long sit-in protest in New Delhi against then-WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, then a lawmaker from Modi’s ruling party.
Singh is on trial accused of molesting female athletes – a charge he denies.
Wrestling is hugely popular in rural northern India, and photos of Phogat and other athletes being detained as they tried to march to parliament during the protests went viral on social media.
“Vinesh, you are a gold medalist for courage and morality,” said Bajrang Punia, a bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics and another leader of last year’s protests, on social media.
“You have fought bravely,” he added. “No one wants to believe what happened this morning.” — AFP
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