NEW DELHI: The entire nation was devastated after Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the women’s freestyle 50kg wrestling event at the Paris Olympics for being slightly over the weight limit during her weigh-in on Wednesday morning.

Vinesh made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal match on Tuesday night, and she was already assured of at least a silver medal before her weigh in on Wednesday morning.
But fate had other plans as her hopes were dashed when she was found to be 100 grams over the weight limit during the weigh-in, leading to her disqualification from the Paris Games.

This disqualification prevented her from competing in the final match and stripped her of a chance to win a historic medal.

How Vinesh’s weight transformation shattered her dream
Vinesh was reported to weigh 49.9 kg on Tuesday morning before her bouts, but after consuming even a small meal, her weight quickly rose back to around 53 kg. She needed to reach this weight to have the strength required for her three bouts.
Following the semifinal last night, her weight was recorded at 52.7kg. In a desperate attempt to shed the excess weight, she endured a sleepless night, abstaining from even a single drop of water or a bite of food.

The hours were spent relentlessly running and utilizing the sauna facilities. Through sheer determination, she managed to reach 50.1kg, but time was not on her side, and she fell short of cutting the final 100 grams. The strict weight requirements offered no flexibility, and the clock had run out, leaving her unable to make the necessary adjustments to meet the weight limit.

Understanding the weigh-in rules
The weigh-in process is crucial in wrestling and is strictly regulated under the International Wrestling Rules of United World Wrestling. Article 11 of the Competition Procedure outlines the specifics:
Weigh-In Timing: Wrestlers must weigh in each morning for their relevant weight category. The initial weigh-in and medical control sessions last 30 minutes, while the second day’s weigh-in for those in repechage and finals lasts 15 minutes.
Eligibility: Wrestlers failing the weigh-in on either day are eliminated from the competition. No allowances are made for minor weight excesses.
Weigh-In Attire: Wrestlers must wear their singlet during weigh-ins, with no tolerance for the singlet’s weight.
Multiple Attempts: Wrestlers are allowed to step on the scale multiple times within the weigh-in period.
Medical Examination: Wrestlers must undergo a medical examination on the first morning of the competition. Without this, they are not permitted to weigh in.
These stringent rules are in place to ensure fair competition and the safety of all participants.