IOA has lodged strong protest with United World Wrestling over Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from Olympics: Indian Sports Minister tells Parliament

Indian Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday informed the Lok Sabha that the country’s Indian Olympic Association has lodged a strong protest with the United World Wrestling over the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Olympics which left the nation heartbroken.

“She was disqualified after her weight was found to be 100 gms more than 50 kgs,” the Minister said.

He further said: “The Indian Olympic Association has lodged a strong protest with the United World Wrestling (UWW).”

“IOA President PT Usha is currently in Paris and PM Narendra Modi spoke to her and asked her to take the necessary steps,” he said.

The Minister said Phogat was provided with all necessary facilities, including a personal trainer, for her training.

Vinesh, who was competing in the 50 kg freestyle wrestling category, is set for a disqualification for crossing the weight limit by 100 grams.

Though she normally competes in the 53 kg category, Vinesh brought down her weight to 50 kg for the Olympics.

As per reports, Vinesh skipped meals, trained hard and spent sleepless nights to fit in the criteria.

The efforts went in vain after the Olympic Committee refused to give more time to Vinesh despite requests from the Indian officials.

She was disqualified on the second day of weigh-in.

India on Tuesday basked in joy after Vinesh defeated Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba by 5-0 to enter the Olympics 2024 women’s wrestling 50kg final.

She stunned world no. 1 and defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the Round of 16, before edging out Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals.

Vinesh was set to take on Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman Lopez for a place in the final.