Saina Nehwal On Vinesh Phogat’s Disqualification: “Not Her First Olympics, It’s Her Third”

Following Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the 50 kg women’s wrestling final at the Paris Olympics 2024, badminton legend Saina Nehwal expressed her disappointment and criticized Phogat for the error. In an interview with NDTV, Saina acknowledged the nationwide sense of letdown, reflecting on the hard work and dedication athletes invest in their training.

While Saina praised Vinesh Phogat as a “fighter” known for her resilience and assured that she would come back stronger in the future, she also placed some blame on Phogat for the disqualification. Nehwal emphasized that, as an experienced athlete, Phogat should have been aware of the weight regulations and not made such a critical mistake on the final day.

Nehwal expressed surprise at the error, noting that such issues are uncommon at the elite level of competition. She questioned how such a mistake could occur, especially given Phogat’s extensive support team, including coaches, physiotherapists, and trainers.

“It is not like she is playing her first Olympics. It’s her third Olympics. As an athlete, she must know the rules. If there has been a mistake, I don’t know how it happened. At such a big stage, I have not heard any such thing about any other wrestler, that they have been disqualified due to being overweight,” she added.

Saina concluded that, despite Phogat’s known hard work and dedication, the disqualification raised questions about the oversight involved, particularly at such a significant event where weight issues are typically well-managed.