Vinesh Phogat: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has suffered a major setback at the Paris Olympics. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected her demand for a silver medal. During the Paris Olympics, just before the final match in the women’s 50 kg freestyle wrestling, her weight was found to be 100 grams more than the prescribed limit, after which she was excluded from the final match.
Vinesh had filed a petition in CAS to give her a silver medal, as her opponent in the semi-finals, Cuba’s Yusnelis Guzman Lopez, also made it to the final despite losing. However, the CAS ad hoc committee has rejected Vinesh’s appeal against the United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee.
IOA President Dr PT Usha has expressed disappointment over the decision and called it surprising. The constant delay in the decision from CAS was also frustrating for Vinesh, and the wait for the decision also affected her mental state.
Vinesh was ruled out of the final bout as she was above the prescribed weight limit. The 29-year-old Vinesh has announced her retirement from the sport after this decision, and she said that she no longer has any strength left. Meanwhile, many veteran players have come in her support and praised her career.
After this decision from CAS, Vinesh now has the option to appeal against the decision, but at the moment she is facing anxiety and disappointment. This is a sad day in the Indian wrestling world and a big blow to Vinesh’s supporters and sports lovers.