'How did she gain weight at night?' WFI president addresses Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic disqualification

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In the wake of Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President, Sanjay Singh, has publicly addressed the issue, placing the blame on Phogat’s support staff rather than the wrestler herself. Phogat was disqualified from the women's 50kg category for being around 100 grams overweight hours before her gold medal match.

In an interview with India Today, Singh expressed frustration and concern over the circumstances that led to Phogat’s disqualification. He questioned how Phogat, who was meticulously managing her weight, ended up exceeding the limit. "How did she gain weight at night? Her coaches, physios, nutritionists—all of them are her personal assistants. The Indian government has sent them. Only they can answer how she gained weight," Singh said.

Phogat had reached the final match, set to compete against America’s Sarah Hildebrandt for the gold. Singh reflected on the historic significance of the match, noting the opportunity for Phogat to become the first Indian woman to win an Olympic wrestling medal. Despite the setback, he highlighted Phogat’s dedication and preparation. "Do you think it's possible that in the Olympics final, will she make any mistake that will make her gain weight? No, she won't make any mistake. Because she had to fight the next day and she had to fight for gold," Singh stated.

Singh also drew parallels with a past incident involving wrestler Sushil Kumar, where a slight weight gain led to disqualification in another event. He lamented the current situation, acknowledging the frustration shared by many in India. "Yes, exactly. It was a historic moment in India, but it's our country's misfortune," Singh said, referring to the missed opportunity.

The WFI President is actively seeking ways to address the situation and potentially reverse the disqualification. Singh is pushing for a protest to be considered by the authorities, although he admitted that the chances are slim. “We are talking about the IOC and UWW as well. But no decision has been taken yet. So, I can't give you a perfect answer,” he said.

Regarding the weigh-in process, Singh noted that the final weigh-in occurred on the same machine used for all competitors, eliminating concerns about the accuracy of the equipment. “All the wrestlers from all over the world were weighed on the same weighing machine and there was no doubt about it. So, what was the difference between yesterday and today’s weigh-in of Vinesh? She has increased by 100 grams,” Singh explained.

Singh expressed deep disappointment and continued hope despite the challenges. He remains determined to fight for Phogat’s chance to compete, driven by the historic significance of the potential medal. “I will fight till my last breath because this is our country’s medal. And the country was going to get a medal for the first time with women’s wrestling. It was not in history yet. So, I cannot express how sad I am,” Singh concluded.

The disqualification has left many wondering about the implications for the upcoming matches and the chances for Indian wrestling. Singh’s comments highlight the complex nature of weight management in competitive sports and the pressures athletes face at the highest levels.