Very bad news came for India from Paris Olympics. Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified a few hours before the final match. This means that Vinesh Phogat is out of the Olympics. With this the dream of winning ‘Gold’ was also shattered. Not only this, if there was a match and Vinesh Phogat had lost, she would still have got ‘silver’.
Vinesh Phogat was challenging in free style in women’s 50 kg category. On Wednesday, Vinesh Phogat made it to the finals in the Olympics by winning three matches one after the other. In the semi-final match, he defeated Guzman Lopez of Cuba.
Now after Vinesh’s disqualification, Guzman Lopez will play in the final. The final match will be between Guzman Lopez and American wrestler Sarah Ann Hilderbrandt.
At present, preparations are underway to appeal against Vinesh’s disqualification. Because now this is the last way left. The appeal is necessary because thanks to it the disqualification of the Kenyan player could be cancelled.
What is the whole matter?
On August 5, the women’s 5000 meter race was held in the Olympics. In this race, Kenyan racers had won gold and silver. Gold was won by Beatrice Chebet and Silver was won by Faith Kipyegon. Whereas, Sifan Hasan of Netherlands won bronze. This 5000 meter race was won by Beatrice Chebet in 14 minutes 28.56 seconds.
However, after this match, Faith Kipyegon was disqualified. The Olympic Committee had said that video footage shows that Kipyegon had hit Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsega during the race.
It was claimed that Gudaf Sege had taken the lead with two laps remaining. Then Kipyegon coming from behind collided with them and went ahead. Ultimately Beatrice Chebet stood first and Kipyegon stood second. After the race was over, both of them hugged each other and celebrated. But after some time Kipyegon was disqualified.
happiness, sadness and happiness again
Kipyegon’s joy at winning silver in the race faded within a short time, because he was disqualified even before getting the medal.
Kipyegon appealed against the disqualification. On disqualification, Beatrice Chebet said that Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia had come on the track of Faith Kipyegon. That’s why Kipyegon hit Sege to tell him ‘don’t push’. Meanwhile, Kipyegon lost his balance and tried to avoid going off the track.
Ultimately Kipyegon’s disqualification was revoked. He was awarded the silver medal.
Now why was Vinesh disqualified?
Vinesh Phogat wrestles in 50 kg category. When his weight was taken on Thursday morning, it was found to be a few grams more. Any wrestler must weigh the same or less than the category in which he plays. If the weight is even one gram more then the athlete can be disqualified.
According to Olympic rules, the weight of every wrestler is checked before the match. If a bout is fought over two days, then weigh-in takes place before the match on both days.
There are two days of competition in each category of wrestling. Therefore, whoever reaches the finals is weighed for two days. The weigh-in process on the first day lasts for half an hour. But on the second day only 15 minutes are available for this.
Can a miracle happen with Vinesh?
The kind of miracle that happened with Kenyan athlete Faith Kipyegon, can the same kind of miracle happen with Vinesh Phogat? At present the scope for this is less. In Kipyegon’s case, the disqualification was due to confusion, while Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified due to overweight.
However, India can appeal against this. Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Sanjay Singh said that the federation is looking into the legal aspect of it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also talked to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha and sought information. He has asked to consider all options in this matter. Besides, it has also been asked to lodge a protest on this matter with the Paris Olympic Committee.
At the same time, United World Wrestling (UWW), the organization that makes wrestling rules, says that nothing can be done now. UWW said that rules are rules, nothing can be done now on disqualification.