Under united world wrestling

World Champion Yui Susaki: Indian star wrestler Vinesh Phogat's journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics took a heartbreaking turn when she was disqualified from the gold medal bout in the women’s 50 kg category after failing her second weigh-in on Wednesday. The disqualification has sparked conversations around the rigorous weight restrictions in Olympic wrestling and the immense challenges athletes face in meeting these standards.

Vinesh, who normally weighs around 55 kg, had to compete in the 50 kg category due to specific circumstances. Traditionally, wrestlers compete in categories 3-4 kg below their regular weight. Vinesh had been competing in the 53 kg category for years, but following an ACL surgery in August 2023, she had to drop down to the 50 kg category after Antim Panghal secured India’s Olympic quota in the 53 kg category.

Her decision to compete in the 50 kg category proved successful as she defeated formidable opponents, including Japan’s Olympic and World Champion Yui Susaki, to reach the final. However, the challenge of maintaining the strict weight limit took a toll.