‘It’s part of the game’: Vinesh Phogat takes bitter Paris Olympics disqualification in stride

New Delhi: Instead of needing consolation for being disqualified from Paris Olympics 50kg freestyle final, Vinesh Phogat consoled his coaches once it was confirmed she would lose the chance to have a crack at the gold medal.

After becoming the first female Indian wrestler to enter an Olympic final in any category on Tuesday, Vinesh was barred on Wednesday once she checked in overweight by around 100 grams during the weigh-in for the bout.

As per tournament rules she was straight away disqualified with all her records of the competition declared null and void, placing her at the bottom of the standings.

In barely a matter of hours, Vinesh’s ecstasy turned into agony despite her best efforts to slim down to the permissible limit. She went without food and drink on Tuesday night, undertaking sauna and trained to somehow squeeze herself in.

But as she naturally weighs around 56-57kg and had to drop down to 50kg to qualify for Paris 2024 as Antim Panghal had already booked a spot in her preferred 53kg category.

Vinesh Phogat takes disappointment sportingly

“It’s part of the game,” the 29 year-old told women’s national coach Virender Dahiya and Manjeet Rani when they met after her shock disqualification.

“It sent a shockwave through the wrestling contingent. The girls were feeling pretty low after the news broke. We met Vinesh and tried to console her. She was brave. She told us, ‘it’s hard luck that we missed the medal, but it is part of the game’,” Dahiya revealed to PTI.

The 29-year-old had failed in two previous attempt to win medal at Olympics. Despite sacrificing training to lead protests against former Wrestling Federation of Indian chief Brij Bhshan Sharan Singh for a year and a half, she defeated world number one and defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the opening round on Tuesday.

She followed it up with two more victories to reach the doorstep of history but life had other plans for her.

Her cousin sister and fellow grappler Babita Phogat became emotional while speaking about Vinesh’s ordeal.

“She had worked very hard, and to get disqualified for 100 grams is a bitter pill. Atleast she should have been given silver medal,” Babita told TV9 Network.

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 Vinesh Phogat was barred from featuring in Paris Olympics final once she checked in overweight by around 100 grams during the weigh-in for the bout.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today