Others

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has released the detailed verdict of the sole arbitrator, Annabelle Bennett, who dismissed Vinesh Phogat's appeal for a silver medal after her disqualification for being overweight in the weigh-in before the final at the Paris Olympics.Bennett acknowledged the persuasiveness of the Indian side's arguments but emphasized that the clear-cut rules left no room for leeway. The rules state that wrestlers must remain eligible throughout the competition, from entry to the finals. Failure to do so results in elimination without ranking.Vinesh, who won three bouts to reach the final, was marginally overweight at the mandatory second weigh-in the next morning before the gold medal bout. She argued that the excess weight was due to factors such as the menstrual cycle, water retention, and insufficient time to reduce her weight due to travel.However, Bennett noted that the rules are clear and do not allow for any tolerance. Athletes are responsible for ensuring they remain below the weight limit.Vinesh's appeal for a shared silver medal was also dismissed as it was not within the arbitrator's power. The UWW rules state that once a wrestler becomes ineligible during the competition, the consequences of elimination without ranking apply.Bennett expressed sympathy for Vinesh's situation, calling the disqualification rule "draconian." She suggested that a fairer solution would be to eliminate the wrestler from the round for which they were found ineligible, rather than the entire competition.The detailed verdict provides insights into the UWW's weigh-in rules and the consequences of failing to meet the weight limit. It highlights the importance of athletes adhering to the regulations and the challenges they may face in maintaining their weight during competitions.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has upheld its decision to disqualify Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics final due to being overweight. In a detailed ruling, the CAS stated that athletes are solely responsible for ensuring they remain below the weight limit, with no exceptions allowed.Phogat's disqualification stemmed from being 100 grams overweight on the morning of the women's 50kg freestyle final. She had appealed the decision, arguing that the excess weight was minimal and could be attributed to factors such as water retention. However, the CAS rejected her appeal, citing the clear rules regarding weight limits."The Rules are clear as to the weight limit and are the same for all participants. There is no tolerance provided for - it is an upper limit. It does not even allow for the weight of the singlet. It is clearly up to an athlete to ensure that they remain below that limit," the CAS stated.Phogat's disqualification sparked controversy, with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) expressing disappointment. However, the CAS emphasized that the rules are impartial and must be adhered to by all athletes.In her appeal, Phogat had requested a joint silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who lost to her in the semifinals but was promoted to the final after Phogat's disqualification. The gold medal was won by American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt.The CAS's decision serves as a reminder to athletes of the importance of adhering to weight limits and the consequences of exceeding them. It also highlights the impartial nature of the CAS in upholding the rules of sports.

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion, fell short of retaining his gold medal at the recently concluded Paris Olympics, settling for silver with a best throw of 89.45 meters. In a virtual press briefing, Chopra expressed his disappointment, acknowledging that he lacked the physical sharpness to push himself to his limits."Mentally, I was ready, but physically, I was retraining myself," Chopra said. "My legwork on the runway was not how it should have been. My efforts were going in vain."Chopra's silver medal came behind Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who set a new Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 meters. Grenada's Anderson Peters secured bronze with a throw of 88.54 meters.Chopra's performance was particularly disappointing given his previous dominance over Nadeem, whom he had defeated in all nine of their previous head-to-head matchups. However, Nadeem's throw of 90.18 meters at the 2022 Commonwealth Games had surpassed Chopra's top effort.Chopra admitted that the last two to three years have been challenging for him in terms of fitness. "I am always injured," he said. "I really tried hard, but I have to work on my injury (staying injury-free) and technique."Despite the setback, Chopra remains determined to improve and regain his status as the world's top javelin thrower. He has already announced his participation in the Lausanne Diamond League, which begins on August 22.Chopra's silver medal is a reminder that even the greatest athletes can face setbacks. However, his determination to overcome adversity and return to the top is a testament to his resilience and unwavering spirit.

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat returned to a hero's welcome at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Saturday, despite the disappointment of being disqualified from the Paris Olympics due to being overweight.Phogat, who was found to be 100 grams overweight on the day of her 50kg final bout, had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver medal. However, her appeal was dismissed on Wednesday.Despite the setback, Phogat was greeted by a thick security cover and a crowd of supporters at the airport. London Olympics bronze medal-winning shooter Gagan Narang, who was the chief de mission of the Indian contingent in Paris, hailed Phogat as a champion."She came as a champion on day 1 into the games village and she will always remain our champion. Sometimes one doesn't need an Olympic medal to inspire a billion dreams.. @vineshphogat you have inspired generations. Salute to your grit," Narang posted on social media.Phogat's brother, Harvinder, expressed his pride in his sister's achievements. "Vinesh is returning to the country. People have come here at the (Delhi) airport to welcome her. People are also waiting to welcome her at our village. People are exciting to meet Vinesh and encourage her," he said.Phogat is expected to receive a grand welcome at her native village in Balali, Haryana. Her return to India serves as a reminder of the indomitable spirit of Indian athletes, who continue to inspire the nation even in the face of adversity.

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has hinted at a possible reversal of her retirement decision in a lengthy social media post, two days after her appeal for a joint silver medal at the Paris Olympics was denied.In her post, Phogat expressed regret over her hasty retirement announcement, which she made after being disqualified from the women's 50kg freestyle final at the Tokyo Games. She acknowledged that she could have continued wrestling until 2032 "under different circumstances.""Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032, because the fight in me and wrestling in me will always be there," said the 29-year-old. "I can't predict what the future holds for me, and what awaits me in this journey next but I am sure that I will continue to fight always for what I believe in and for the right thing."Phogat's retirement announcement had shocked the wrestling community, as she is one of India's most decorated wrestlers. She has won multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Championships, and World Championships.Her decision to reconsider her retirement is a welcome development for Indian wrestling. Phogat is a role model for young wrestlers and her continued presence in the sport would inspire a new generation of athletes.It remains to be seen whether Phogat will officially withdraw her retirement announcement. However, her latest post suggests that she is open to the possibility of continuing her wrestling career.

Vinesh Phogat, India's wrestling star, has finally broken her silence on the heartbreaking disqualification that shattered her Olympic dreams at the Paris Olympics 2024. Phogat, who made history as the first Indian woman to reach a wrestling final at the Olympics, was disqualified on the morning of her event on August 7 due to being 100 grams overweight.The disqualification sent shockwaves through the Indian sporting community, and Phogat and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) immediately appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver medal. However, their appeal was dismissed, leaving Phogat devastated.From August 7 to August 15, Phogat remained silent about her ordeal. But on Friday, she finally broke her long silence with a three-page post on social media. In her post, Phogat opened up about the significance of the Paris Olympics for her and the reasons behind her disqualification."During the wrestlers protest, I was fighting hard to protect the sanctity of women in India, the sanctity and values of our Indian flag," Phogat wrote. "But when one looks at the pictures of me with the Indian flag from 28th May 2023, it haunts me. It was my wish to have the Indian flag fly high this Olympics, to have a picture of the Indian flag with me that truly represents its value and restores its sanctity."Phogat added that she refused to surrender to the circumstances. "There is so much more to say and so much more to tell, but words will never be enough," she wrote. "On the night of 6th August and the morning of 7th August, all I want to say is that we did not give up, our efforts did not stop, and we did not surrender, but the clock stopped and the time was not fair."Phogat's disqualification has raised questions about the fairness of the weight-cutting process in wrestling. Phogat has alleged that she was not given proper time to rehydrate after the weigh-in, which contributed to her being overweight.Despite the setback, Phogat remains determined to continue fighting for what she believes in. "I can't predict what the future holds for me, and what awaits me in this journey next, but I am sure that I will continue to fight always for what I believe in and for the right thing," she wrote.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded wrestler Vinesh Phogat for her remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics, where she became the first Indian woman grappler to reach the final. During a meeting with Indian athletes and medal winners at his residence, PM Modi acknowledged Vinesh's achievement, stating that it was a matter of immense pride for the nation.Vinesh's historic feat was unfortunately marred by her disqualification from the women's 50 kg gold medal bout due to being weighed "few grams over" the permissible limits on the morning of the final match. The heartbreaking setback prompted Vinesh to announce her retirement from wrestling on social media.Despite the disappointment, Vinesh's illustrious career boasts three Commonwealth Games golds, two World Championships bronze medals, and one Asian Games gold medal. She also emerged as the Asian champion in 2021.Vinesh appealed her Olympic disqualification to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), seeking a joint silver medal in the 50kg weight category. However, the Ad-Hoc Division of the CAS dismissed her petition, dashing her hopes of securing her maiden Olympic medal.India's contingent at the Paris Games comprised 117 athletes competing across 16 sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, equestrian, golf, hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, wrestling, table tennis, and tennis.The Indian team secured six medals at the Paris Olympics, including one silver and five bronze. While expectations were high for a historic performance, India narrowly missed surpassing its previous best at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where they won seven medals (1 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze) and ranked 48th.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a reception at his residence in New Delhi to honor the Indian contingent that returned from the recently concluded Paris Olympics with a remarkable haul of six medals. The contingent included history-making shooter Manu Bhaker, who showcased the pistol with which she clinched two bronze medals.The Indian men's hockey team, which secured its second consecutive bronze at the Paris Games, presented the Prime Minister with a stick signed by all the players. The team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh and featuring the recently retired PR Sreejesh, posed with the Prime Minister, proudly displaying their bronze medals.Bhaker, who became the first Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics, enthusiastically explained to the Prime Minister the intricacies of the pistol she used to shoot down two bronze medals in the 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed event.Sarabjot Singh, Bhaker's teammate in the 10m air pistol mixed event, also engaged in a conversation with the Prime Minister. Swapnil Kusale, who won a bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions, shared his experiences with the Prime Minister.Wrestler Aman Sehrawat, who secured a bronze in the men's freestyle 57kg category, presented the Prime Minister with an India jersey bearing his signature.Silver medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was absent from the reception as he had traveled to Germany for medical consultation and potential participation in the Diamond League Meetings in Europe.Prime Minister Modi addressed the contingent members and interacted with several of them, including shuttler Lakshya Sen. Tokyo Olympics medallists Lovlina Borgohain (boxing) and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting) were also present at the reception.Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha accompanied the contingent.Earlier in the day, the contingent members attended the historic Red Fort, where Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day.

Northern Railways Honors Olympic Medalist Aman Sehrawat with OSD PromotionThe Northern Railways has bestowed a prestigious honor upon wrestler Aman Sehrawat, who recently made history by becoming India's youngest Olympic medalist at the Paris Olympics. In recognition of his remarkable achievement, Sehrawat has been promoted to the position of Officer on Special Duty (OSD).Sehrawat's journey to the Olympic podium was marked by unwavering determination and exceptional talent. At the tender age of 21, he showcased his prowess in the 57kg freestyle category, securing a bronze medal and etching his name in the annals of Indian sports history. His triumph contributed to India's impressive tally of six medals at the Paris Games.In a ceremony held at the Northern Railway Headquarters, General Manager Shri Shobhan Chaudhuri expressed his gratitude to Sehrawat for his exceptional performance. "Shri Aman Sehrawat has brought immense pride and glory to the nation by winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics," Chaudhuri said. "His dedication, hard work, and perseverance have been an inspiration to millions."Principal Chief Personnel Officer Shri Sujit Kumar Mishra officiated the promotion ceremony, appointing Sehrawat as OSD/Sports. This appointment recognizes Sehrawat's outstanding contribution to Indian wrestling and his potential to continue inspiring future generations of athletes.Sehrawat's achievement is a testament to the unwavering support he has received from the Northern Railways. The organization has consistently provided him with the necessary resources and training to excel in his sport. His promotion to OSD is a fitting tribute to his dedication and the Railways' commitment to fostering sporting excellence.