Vinesh Phogat Petition Dismissed: ‘Mother, I lost and wrestling won…’ India’s star wrestler Vinesh Phogat had announced her retirement by saying this during the Paris Olympics. Why did he use these words of despair and indifference? Everyone knows this. The rules outweighed the spirit and passion of Vinesh, who defeated many wrestlers and she had to face defeat in the legal battle outside the ring.
In the ring, Vinesh had defeated 3 great wrestlers in a single day to get the gold medal in the Paris Olympics. She only had to play the final match, by winning which she would have won the gold. But a rule of wrestling came between this medal match and Vinesh, due to which this Indian wrestler became worried.
Also read: Vinesh Phogat’s appeal rejected, India’s hope of getting silver medal dashed
Vinesh was 100 grams overweight and disqualified
In fact, during the Paris Olympics, Vinesh had secured the silver medal by entering the final of 50 kg freestyle wrestling after playing 3 consecutive matches on 6th August. The gold medal match was to be held on the night of 7th August, but Vinesh was disqualified on the same morning because before the match, her weight was 100 grams more than the 50 kg category.
After this Vinesh had appealed in CAS. His first demand was that he should be allowed to play the gold medal match. But citing rules, his demand was immediately rejected. After this Vinesh appealed and said that she should be given a silver medal in this event. Now this appeal has also been rejected.
Vinesh fought a legal battle for 8 days outside the ring for the silver medal, but here she was defeated and now she will have to return to India without the medal. Vinesh is currently in Paris. Although he has left the Olympic Village. Now she is staying in the hotel. Vinesh will return to India on 17th August.
Defeated these 3 legendary wrestlers in one day
It was a very difficult task for Vinesh to pass the first round in the Paris Olympics, because her first match was against the Japanese player who had won the gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics without losing a single point. Actually, Vinesh was facing the challenge of last Olympic winner and 4-time world champion Yui Susaki.
Before the clash with Vinesh, Susaki had not faced a single defeat in her international career. Susaki had won 82 consecutive matches. Vinesh defeated such a strong wrestler 3-2. Susaki had no match against Vinesh in the competition.
Then Vinesh’s quarter-final match was against Ukraine’s number-1 female wrestler Oksana Livach. But in this also Vinesh registered a resounding victory by 7-5. On the same day, Vinesh had to play her semi-final match against Cuban wrestler Eusneilis Guzman. Despite defeating two wrestlers consecutively, Vinesh’s morale remained high. In such a situation, he made it to the finals by defeating Guzman 5-0.
Now the question in the minds of the fans is that what happened in one night that Vinesh was thrown out? Fans might also want to know about the rule due to which Vinesh is out. Let us know about it…
What is the weight rule in wrestling?
Actually, there are weight categories in wrestling. That means a wrestler has to fight in a match against a wrestler of equal weight. Like Vinesh had entered in 50 kg weight category. In such a situation, the weight of both Vinesh and the wrestler in front should not have been more than 50 kg. United World Wrestling (UWW) has the right to make rules in this sport.
Article 11 of the UWW says – Before entering the match, the team leader has to name the ‘final athletes’ who will fight in the match. This information has to be given in advance. Players are weighed before every match. Weight details have to be submitted by 12th hour a day before the match. There is no match with wrestlers of other weight categories than one’s own weight category.
What clothes do you wear during weighing?
According to the rules, the athlete who does not conform to the weight limit is thrown out of the competition. Apart from this, if an athlete does not get weighed both in the first or second time, he is also disqualified. Also, it is kept at the last position without giving any rank.
Only one outfit called ‘singlet’ is allowed to be worn during weighing. The contestant’s nails must also be trimmed properly during weigh-ins. Wrestlers can weigh in as many times as they want throughout the weigh-in process.
Vinesh gave these four arguments during the hearing…
1. Vinesh argued that she did not commit any fraud.
2. His weight gain was due to the body’s natural recovery process.
3. Vinesh also argued that taking care of one’s body is the fundamental right of an athlete.
4. It was also argued on behalf of Vinesh that her body weight was less than the prescribed limit on the first day of the competition. The weight increased only due to recovery and is not a case of cheating. It is their fundamental right to provide their body with the necessary nutrients to be healthy.
Wrestler Vinesh retired from wrestling
Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling the next day after the finals held on 7th August. He wrote in a social media post, ‘Mother wrestling won from me. I am defeated, sorry, your dream, my courage are all broken. I don’t have any more strength than this now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. She apologized and said that she will always be indebted to you all.
Vinesh has won 3 gold in Commonwealth
Vinesh Phogat has won 3 consecutive golds in Commonwealth Games. He won this gold in 2014 Glasgow, 2018 Gold Coast and 2022 Birmingham Games. Apart from this, Vinesh also won gold in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.
Had also won gold medal in Asian Championship 2021. Apart from this, he also won 3 silver medals in the Asian Championship. Vinesh Phogat has so far been able to win bronze medal only twice in the World Championship.