Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics after failing to meet the weight requirements for the women’s 50kg category. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) stated, “Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning.”
Reports indicate that Vinesh Phogat was approximately 100 grams over the limit. The Indian Express reported that she was about 2 kilos overweight on Tuesday night. Experts say that trying to lose this much weight overnight is not only challenging but also dangerous. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, an internal medicine expert at Delhi’s Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, noted that losing 2-3 kilograms in such a short time is “dangerous.” Dr. Manjeeta Nath Das, another internal medicine expert, echoed these concerns, emphasizing that rapid weight loss can be “fatal.”
Dr. Das explained that significant weight loss efforts often involve extreme measures, such as avoiding water, salt, and essential nutrients. For an athlete like Vinesh, this approach is particularly hazardous. “We lose water and salts even while breathing and doing nothing, so actively working to lose water and not hydrating enough can lead to serious complications,” she said.
Dr. Gupta added that drastic calorie reductions can cause hypoglycemia, a condition where blood sugar levels drop below 70 mg/dl. This can lead to symptoms such as shakiness, dizziness, and confusion. Severe cases of hypoglycemia can result in seizures, unconsciousness, or even death. “Our brains can’t go more than 2-3 minutes without glucose. Even that short duration can cause severe and permanent brain damage,” he explained.
Both doctors strongly advise against such extreme weight loss methods, highlighting the potential health risks and life-threatening consequences.