Paris Olympics: No scope of overturning Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification, says UWW chief Lalovic

New Delhi: Vinesh Phogat’s is being viewed sympathetically by the United World Wrestling even though there is no possibility of overturning her disqualification from Paris Olympics.

Phogat became the first Indian women wrestler to enter the gold medal round in 50kg category on Tuesday. But was barred from playing in the title match as she was weighed beyond the permissible limit in the weigh-in ahead of her bout with sixth seed USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old was found to be overweight by 100-150 grams and was disqualified and stripped of all Paris records, as per UWW rules, which stipulate wrestlers who are found overweight during weigh-in are placed at the bottom of the final standings.

The International Olympic Committee also ruled that in the 50kg category, there will be one bronze medal awarded as against the usual two after Phogat’s disqualification.

The IOC allowed Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, whom Phogat defeated in the semi-final, to battle in the gold medal match against Hildebrandt.

‘Rules are rules’

India had lodged an official appeal with the IOC to overturn her disqualification but UWW president Nenad Lalovic doesn’t foresee in change in the decision.

“We have to respect the rules. I’m so sad that what happened to her. She was overweight very small one. But the rules are rules and everything is public. All the athletes are there and it’s impossible to let someone to compete who does not make the weight,” Lalovic told India Today.

Lalovic also informed that as per tournament rules, Phogay can’t even be awarded the silver medal for reaching the final before disqualification.

“Impossible (To giving her the medal because she reached the final). Impossible. Because the brackets are changing, everything is changing. And anyway, the rules are rules. Everybody who goes to the continues, they know they have a second way. In the next day, there has been an appeal. I don’t see anything that can be done. The competition continues, and I really don’t see that it is possible,” he added.

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