Vinesh Phogat, India’s top female fighter, was disqualified after failing the weigh-in prior to the Olympic Games ‘ last match.
The 29-year-old was scheduled to compete against US competitor Sarah Hildebrandt on Wednesday in the 50-kg swimming group, which would have guaranteed her at least a gold medal.
However, Phogat, according to the Indian Olympic Association, weighed in a few ounces above the 50kg mark the day of the competition.
She will get ranked last in the opposition and will not be able to win any medals as a result.
The news has sparked sadness in India, where there has been an outpouring of sorrow.
This was Phogat’s next look at the Olympics, and the closest she had ever been to winning a prize. She defeated Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman 5-0 to reach the final, becoming the first Indian women fighter to do so on Tuesday.
One of the biggest irritates at the Games thus far came when she defeated Japan’s reigning world champion Yui Susaki to advance to the quarter-finals.
According to reports, the boxer attempted anything to lose weight, including skipping and jogging, after being over the weight control by 2 kg on Tuesday night.
However, the Indian Olympic Association stated in a speech that “despite the best efforts made by the crew throughout the day, she weighed in a few ounces over 50kg today.”
Before a fight, wrestlers typically experience extreme weight loss because they frequently have only hours to go before the class limit is met.
However, this can be harmful because it causes rapid fluid loss. Other combat sports, such as boxing and mixed martial arts ( MMA ), also use the technique.
In the previous two Games, Phogat had competed in the 53kg type. The boxer reportedly struggled to meet the mass necessity during her Olympic qualifiers as well because this was her first competition in the 50 kg category.
” The American team requests you esteem Vinesh’s protection. It would like to concentrate on the contests on hands”, the organization said, refusing to comment further.
Last year, Phogat had become the face of a months-long protest by wrestlers against their federation chief Brij Bhushan Singh who was accused of sexually harassing female athletes – a charge he denies.
When the wrestlers attempted to move to India’s new parliament tower, the incident caused headlines around the world, particularly after the authorities detained them.
After Wednesday’s statement, help poured in for the boxer as fans said she was also a hero to them.
She was referred to as a” champion of champions” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and praised as a” champion of champions” by the Indian people.
” Tomorrow’s loss hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing”, he wrote on X ( formerly Twitter ).
” At the same time, I know that you epitomise endurance. You have always had the ability to face problems head-on. Travel up stronger! We are all digging for you”, he said.