From trimming hair to clipping nails, each gram mattered when Vinesh Phogat fought the odds

New Delhi: Ace Indian women’s wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was on the brink of giving the country an Olympic gold, suffered a heartbreak which landed her in a hospital on Wednesday. Vinesh was found to be overweight by a whisker ahead of the final clash and hence faced disqualification from the Paris Games.

While people from the sporting fraternity and other walks of life gave various comments for the heartbreak the wrestler had to go through, her sister Babita Phogat was left teary-eyed while explaining the sacrifices Vinesh made and the ordeal she had to go through.

Vinesh at least deserved a silver: Babita

While speaking to TV9 Network, Babita said that Vinesh worked very hard for this sport and being out of it because of the weight issue is miserable. She went on to say that the ace wrestler should have been given at least a silver medal. While a silver medal was confirmed for the Indian wrestler and the gold wasn’t that far-fetched, Vinesh will have to return to India without a medal.

Babita, who was teary-eyed during the exclusive conversation, bringing a medal for the country is a very big challenge for any athlete and Vinesh worked very hard to earn the elusive gold. She also reveled that even after getting a head injury, she continued her game with umpteen passion.

Babita slams Hema Malini for insensitive remarks

While celebrities from different walks of life expressed their emotions on Vinesh’s heartbreak, Bollywood actress and BJP MP Hema Malini said that players and celebrities should take care of their weight. Hema Malini further went on to say that the athletes should learn a lesson from this episode and she should try to shed her extra weight but even if she does, she will not get the medal.

After her insensitive remarks, the former actress was trolled brutally for the disgraceful remarks she made about the ace wrestler. Babita reacted to Hema’s comments about her sister saying that a player works very hard for the game and puts so much stress on his/her body, even skipping a glass of water sometimes.

Hema Malini, later in the day, took to her social media handle X and lauded Vinesh for her efforts at the Olympic Games.

Vinesh Phogat, the whole nation rallies behind you! You are our heroine of this Olympics. Do not lose heart – you are meant for great achievements and you have a bright future ahead of you! Just carry on bravely🙏 pic.twitter.com/K3yLqW6GJT

— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) August 7, 2024

What Vinesh went through

Babita shed light on the effort the medical team put in to reduce the weight of Vinesh throughout the night. She revealed that Vinesh wa made to exercise, not given anything to eat or drink and even her hair was cut. When the weight did not reduce, her nails were cut and she was made to wear short clothes. Vinesh lost some weight, but despite so many efforts, she got stuck at 50.100 kg.

According to Dr Dinshaw Paudiwala, Chief Medical Officer of the Indian Contingent, also confirmed that the team went ahead with the weight cut procedure the entire night but despite so many efforts, she got stuck. After disqualification, as a measure of precaution, Vinesh was administered intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and was even admitted to a hospital.

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 In an exclusive interview with TV9 network, Babita Phogat narrated the ordeal Vinesh went through after she was disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024 on Wednesday.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today