‘Hopeful of a favourable verdict’: Vinesh Phogat’s lawyer on wrestler’s joint silver medal appeal

New Delhi: As the entire nation patiently awaits the verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over Vinesh Phogat’s appeal to be awarded a joint silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, her lawyer has expressed confidence in getting a favourable decision. Vidushpat Singhania, the lawyer who is representing the Indian Olympic Association and Vinesh Phogat in the CAS is hopeful the wrestler’s appeal will be successful.

Vinesh was denied a chance to take part in her gold medal match in the women’s 50kg freestyle category after getting disqualified on the morning of the final bout due to being overweight. Vinesh weighed 100 grams more than the permissible weight limit of 50 kg leading to her disqualification following which she was placed last in the rankings and stripped of her assured silver medal.

Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who Vinesh defeated in the semi-final, replaced her in the final against USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt and went on to claim the silver medal after a defeat. Hildebrandt won the elusive gold medal. Vinesh, in her appeal, has demanded she be awarded a joint silver medal along with Lopez for making it to the final while being within the permissible weight limit.

“Our efforts have been much lesser compared to what Vinesh has achieved with her strong performance at the games,” Vidushpat Singhania, the lawyer who is representing Vinesh and the IOC was quoted as saying by CNN-News18.

“Very hopeful of a favourable verdict,” he added.

Verdict in Vinesh Phogat’s case on August 13

The ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) accepted Vinesh’s appeal against her ouster on Friday and will be announcing their verdict on August 13. The panel extended the deadline till August 11 on Saturday for the submission of additional documents by the Indian wrestler’s legal team in the matter.

Vinesh, who announced her retirement from wrestling following her heartbreaking disqualification from the Paris Olympics, will be hopeful of being named the joint silver medallist in the women’s 50kg freestyle category alongside Lopez.

However, the United World Wrestling (UWW) has already clarified it is not in favour of making any exceptions when it comes to the rules. UWW president Nenad Lalovic had said irrespective of the enormity of the case, rules are rules and that the wrestling governing body is bot in the favour of Vinesh being awarded a medal.

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 Lawyer Vidushpat Singhania, who is represeting wrestler Vinesh Phogat and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over her joint silver medal appeal, has said he is hopeful of a favourable verdict.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today