Vinesh Phogat, India’s wrestling icon and a medal hopeful for the Paris Olympics, faces an anxious wait for the outcome of her appeal against her disqualification from the 50kg freestyle event at the Tokyo Games. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has extended the deadline for the verdict to August 16, 2024.
Phogat’s disqualification stemmed from her failure to meet the weight requirement for the 50kg category. Despite shedding weight overnight, she was found to be 100 grams overweight at the second weigh-in, resulting in her disqualification and the awarding of the silver medal to Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez.
The decision sparked outrage in India, with Phogat and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) filing an appeal with CAS. A team of French lawyers and renowned Indian counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania have been engaged to represent Phogat’s case.
Phogat’s disqualification has been a major setback in her Olympic aspirations. The 29-year-old wrestler has been a dominant force in the 50kg and 53kg categories, winning multiple medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. She was considered a strong contender for a medal in Paris.
However, Phogat’s off-the-mat struggles have also cast a shadow over her career. She was a key figure in the sit-in protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, over allegations of sexual harassment. The Delhi Police have filed an FIR in the case, and a verdict is pending.
Despite the challenges, Phogat remains determined to fight for her Olympic dream. The CAS verdict on August 16 will be a crucial moment in her career, determining whether she can continue her quest for an Olympic medal in Paris.
