With Vinesh Phogat's disqualification, what will happen to the women’s 50kg wrestling gold medal match in Olympics?

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The Paris Olympics 2024 has seen an unexpected twist in the women’s final 50kg wrestling category with the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat. This directly impacts the outcome of the gold medal match.

She will be replaced in the final by Yusneylis Guzman of Cuba who lost to Phogat in the semifinal. Guzman will now play Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States, who was set to compete against Phogat.

According to Article 11 of the International Wrestling Rules, Phogat's failure to meet the weight limit during the second-day weigh-in resulted in her disqualification.

Phogat, who had made history as the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic wrestling final, faced a major setback when she was found to be 100 grams over the weight limit. Despite her team's intensive efforts, Phogat was unable to meet the required weight by the final deadline.

As per the regulations, Vinesh Phogat will be replaced by the wrestler who lost to her in the semifinal. Therefore, Yusneylis Guzman will compete in the final match. This change means that Guzman will now have the opportunity to vie for the gold medal against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt .

Olympic wrestling regulations require athletes to meet weight limits not only for the initial weigh-in but also for subsequent weigh-ins before the final match. This ensures fairness and competitiveness in the sport. When a wrestler exceeds the weight limit, they face immediate disqualification, and the final match is adjusted accordingly.

According to a report by Indian Express, Vinesh Phogat successfully met the weight requirement for Tuesday's matches. However, the rules stipulate that wrestlers must maintain their weight within the designated category throughout both days of the competition.

Sources reveal that Phogat was approximately 2 kilograms over the limit on Tuesday night. Despite her strenuous efforts, including jogging, skipping, and cycling throughout the night, she was unable to lose the final 100 grams needed.

The Indian delegation requested an extension for Phogat to meet the weight requirement, but their request was refused. This issue is not unprecedented for Phogat, who typically competes in the 53 kg weight class and had faced similar difficulties during the Olympic qualifiers.