Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic Journey: A Tale of Weight Management and Missed Opportunities
As the Paris Olympic Games approached, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat faced a significant challenge: competing in the 50kg category instead of her preferred 53kg weight class. This decision stemmed from the fact that Antim Panghal had secured the lone 53kg spot for India at the 2023 World Championships.
Phogat had been wrestling in the 53kg category for several years and had even undergone ACL surgery in August 2022, which sidelined her for a few months. During this time, Panghal seized the opportunity to claim the Olympic quota for India in the 53kg weight class.
Despite her desire to compete in the 53kg category, Phogat’s request for a trial was not granted by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The federation conducted trials for the Asian Championships and Asian Olympic Qualifiers in March, but the final trials were not held due to concerns from quota-winning wrestlers that it would disrupt their Olympic preparations.
In the trials, Phogat participated in both the 50kg and 53kg categories. She won the trials in the 50kg category, earning the right to compete at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek. She also achieved her target of reaching the top four in the 53kg category, which would have allowed her to challenge Panghal for the Olympic spot.
However, the final trials were not held, and the WFI selection committee decided to send the respective quota-winners to their categories. This meant that Phogat was unable to challenge Panghal for the 53kg spot and had to settle for competing in the 50kg category.
The decision to compete in the 50kg category was a significant challenge for Phogat, who had to manage her weight carefully to meet the lower weight limit. It remains a question of speculation whether Phogat would have been able to secure a medal in the 53kg category, where she had more experience and comfort.
