Paris 2024: Vinesh Phogat chapter has to close and Indian wrestling has to move forward

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Often, one has heard the phrase, "law is an ass." If you trace the origin as a student of English, it dates back, first, to an English play from 1654 - Revenge For Honour - written by dramatist George Chapman.

Since then, the same phrase, "law is an ass," has been used in day-to-day conversations by lawyers as well as commoners when they debate or perceive something as illogical or stupid.

As the dust settles down on the Vinesh Phogat controversy for being overweight by just 100 grammes and being "robbed" of a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the CAS - Court of Arbitration in Sports - has put in perspective many things in its 24-page order posted on its website.

Indeed, for millions who still feel Vinesh being overweight by just 100 grammes is akin to "law is an ass," the CAS, after hearing all the parties and lawyers concerned has interpreted everything beautifully.

First things first, when the CAS order says it is "draconian," the reference is to the UWW laws, the world body which controls the sport of wrestling. It is well-known, at a time when each Olympic sport is fighting for survival and to stay relevant in the next edition at the 2028 Los Angeles, plenty of effort has to be put in.

All those who saw Vinesh Phogat win three bouts before she was disqualified on the day of the final - August 6, 2024 - felt she had been wronged. The weight gain may have been through a meal, or fluid intake or even by virtue of being a female athlete since they deal with so many hormonal fluctuations.

All this is great 'reasoning or argument,' but the CAS had to hear lawyers and interpret the law. Sadly, they could not say "law is an ass" and adjudge Vinesh Phogat as a deserving silver medal winner. After the hearings, the CAS said the rules laid down by the UWW are clear, weigh in at 50 kg on Day 1 and Day 2 of the competition at the Olympics. Vinesh made the cut on Day 1 and failed on Day 2, which is what has been explained succinctly.

There are lessons to be learnt from this episode. Back to George Chapman in 1654, he may have said "law is an ass" and got away but today in sports one cannot escape rules and regulations. Three sports disciplines where weight categories are sacrosanct include boxing, weightlifting and wrestling.

In weightlifting, luckily, the athletes competing have to weigh-in just once as the competition ends in one day. As regards boxing, the same process of repeated weigh-in applies. The team management of Vinesh Phogat deserves praise for managing her well over the last six months leading into Paris 2024.

Somewhere, there has been an error, as weighing in close to 50kg was flirting with danger. Stories of her burning midnight lamp oil, literally, to cut weight are true. Yet, if she failed by just 100 grammes, it is a tragedy from which each athlete and sports federation in India has to learn. Even at state meets and college meets, when competitions and trials are held, the weigh-in is sacrosanct.

For Vinesh, who had shot up to nearly 59 kilos post-surgery, cutting down weight was a fantastic exercise. For all those who think she should be part of one more Olympic campaign four years later, please rethink. She has been through so much trauma, a return to the mat may not be on her mind soon. Yet, if she does it and wants to again prove "law is an ass" do not be surprised.

Frankly speaking, more focus on wrestling at home has been on Vinesh Phogat rather than Aman Sehrawat of Chhatrasal Stadium fame winning a bronze medal in Paris 2024. At the same time, one cannot turn a blind eye to the "politics of Indian wrestling" where a legally elected NSF - National Sports Federation is still in trouble.

Despite Sanjay Singh being elected as President of the Wrestling Federation of India in December 2023, he has flown to Jordan to meet the UWW bosses. Reason, the Delhi High Court has again asked the Indian Olympic Association for an ad hoc body to be put in place. Strangely enough, even the Sports Ministry has not given recognition to the WFI.

For its part, the WFI enjoys support from the UWW. More importantly, the world body does not like interference from any government or courts of law. Indian wrestling witnessed a massive controversy in 2023 where the sport suffered.

National camps were not held, junior wrestlers lost out on chances and even now there is so much uncertainty. The sport has to move on and all the stakeholders need to sit together and work for Indian wrestling to get stronger. If not, medals even in the next Asian Games in 2026 will become hard.

If Vinesh Phogat's Paris heroics are going to be recalled repeatedly, please also read the fine print, she was disqualified and ranked last in Paris 2024, because of the 100 grammes excess weight. The sport has to move forward and in this direction, all eyes are now on the UWW. India cannot risk being derecognised again and slip into oblivion.