IOA President PT Usha Supports Vinesh Phogat, WFI Appeals Disqualification

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha expressed shock and disappointment on Wednesday at wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the 50kg final at the Paris Olympics. She confirmed that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has filed an appeal with United World Wrestling (UWW) to reconsider the decision. Usha assured that the IOA and the government are providing Phogat with complete support.

Phogat was scheduled to face the United States’ Sarah Ann Hildebrandt in the gold medal match on Wednesday. “I am shocked and disappointed at the disqualification of Vinesh from the Olympic Games Women’s Wrestling 50kg class competition. I met Vinesh at the Olympic Village Polyclinic and assured her of the complete support of the Indian Olympic Association, the Government of India, and the whole country. We are providing Vinesh with all medical and emotional support,” PT Usha said in a video released by the IOA.

“The Wrestling Federation of India has filed an appeal to UWW to reconsider the decision to disqualify Vinesh, and the IOA is following that up in the strongest possible manner. I am aware of the relentless efforts made by Vinesh, the medical team led by Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, and the Chef-de-Mission Gagan Narang throughout the night to ensure that she could meet the competition requirements. The IOA is taking every step to ensure that the morale of the contingent remains high. We are sure all Indians will stand with Vinesh and the entire Indian contingent,” she added.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala explained that Phogat was found to be 100 grams over her 50kg weight category. He detailed the usual process of weight management and mentioned that Phogat’s nutritionist had calculated a 1.5 kg weight cut. Despite efforts, including drastic measures like cutting her hair, Phogat was 100 grams over the limit and thus disqualified.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated in Lok Sabha that the IOA had lodged a strong protest with UWW. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken with PT Usha, urging her to take necessary action. Mandaviya listed the government’s support measures for Phogat, including providing her with personal staff. “Today her weight was found to be 50 kg 100 grams, and she was disqualified. The Indian Olympic Association has lodged a strong protest with United World Wrestling (UWW). IOA President PT Usha is in Paris, and the Prime Minister spoke to her and asked her to take necessary action,” the minister said.

A statement from the Indian Olympic contingent mentioned that Phogat had tipped the scales slightly over the 50kg mark and was disqualified. “It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50 kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand,” the statement read.

Phogat had advanced to the Olympic final after defeating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday night. In a disappointing turn of events for India, wrestler Antim Panghal also lost her round of 16 bout to her Turkish opponent, capping off a challenging day for Indian wrestling.