On Tuesday, Phogat made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to advance to the Olympic final, having taken down the world number 1 and top contender Yui Susaki of Japan along the way. However, in a turn of fate, Vinesh Phogat got disqualified from the Paris Olympics as she was unable to meet the weight requirement for her 50 kg gold medal match on the morning of the bout. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) issued a statement expressing regret over her disqualification from the Women’s Wrestling 50 kg class.

Despite her remarkable achievement in reaching the final, Phogat was approximately 2 kilos overweight by Tuesday night. She spent the entire night trying to reduce weight, engaging in efforts like jogging, skipping, and cycling, but was ultimately unsuccessful. The Indian delegation requested additional time to allow her to lose the last 100 grams, but their plea was denied.

According to competition rules, she will neither be eligible for a silver medal nor be able to compete in finals for gold.

Nevertheless, Vinesh’s wrestling career is marked by numerous achievements:

• Gold Medalist at the 2018 Asian Games
• Gold Medalist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
• Bronze Medalist at the 2019 World Wrestling Championships
• Two-time Asian Championship Gold Medalist (2018, 2019)
• Three-time Commonwealth Championship Gold Medalist (2016, 2017, 2018)

Vinesh Phogat’s commitment to wrestling and accomplishments have made her a role model for young female athletes in India. She will be remembered as a key person in Indian sports history for her contributions to the game and for supporting women’s participation in athletics.