Others

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has delivered its final verdict on Vinesh Phogat's weight case, dismissing her petition. Phogat had filed the petition after being disqualified from the women's freestyle 50kg event at the Paris Olympics 2024 for exceeding the prescribed weight limit by 100 grams. The disqualification resulted in her being stripped of the silver medal she was assured of.Phogat's petition to CAS sought to overturn her disqualification and request a joint silver medal. However, the court has upheld the decision of the International Wrestling Federation (UWW), which disqualified her for failing to meet the weight criteria.The verdict has sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some have expressed disappointment over the decision, while others have shown support for Phogat. The wrestler's supporters have highlighted her dedication and hard work in preparing for the Olympics, including limiting her food and water intake, running and jogging for hours, and even cutting her hair and shortening her clothes to meet the weight requirements.Vinesh Phogat is a renowned Indian wrestler with a strong wrestling heritage. She is a three-time Olympian and has won two World Championships bronze medals, one Asian Games gold medal, and three Commonwealth Games gold medals. Phogat's disqualification has raised questions about the fairness of the weight criteria in wrestling and the challenges faced by female athletes in meeting these standards.The CAS decision has also brought attention to the issue of gender bias in sports. Phogat's disqualification has been compared to similar incidents involving male wrestlers who have been allowed to compete despite exceeding the weight limit. This has led to accusations of double standards and a lack of equal treatment for female athletes.The verdict is a setback for Phogat's Olympic aspirations, but it is also an opportunity for the wrestling community to reflect on the weight criteria and the challenges faced by female athletes. It remains to be seen whether the decision will lead to changes in the sport or if it will continue to be a source of controversy.

Vinesh Phogat's heartbreaking disqualification at the Tokyo Olympics resonated deeply with Japanese wrestler Rei Higuchi, who had faced a similar fate at the Asian Olympic qualifiers. Higuchi, who went on to win gold in the men's freestyle 57kg at the Paris Olympics 2024, extended his support to Phogat, urging her to stay strong and ignore the negativity surrounding her.Phogat, a 29-year-old Indian wrestler, was disqualified hours before her gold medal bout in the women's 50kg category for being 100 grams over the permissible weight limit. The incident left a profound impact on Phogat, who announced her retirement the following morning.Higuchi, who had also missed the Tokyo Olympics after failing to make weight at the Asian Olympic qualifiers, understood Phogat's pain and frustration. He posted a message on social media, encouraging her to stay positive and not let the setback define her."I posted it without knowing whether anyone would be interested," Higuchi said. "I thought I could best understand how the Indian athlete felt because I made the same mistake. I gave it my all and experienced the same frustration and despair. I posted this in the hope that Vinesh doesn't care what people around her say. I just wanted her to take it slow and go forward from there."While Higuchi sympathizes with Phogat's situation, he believes that the United World Wrestling rules clearly state that wrestlers who fail to make weight are disqualified and given the last spot. "Unfortunately, the current rules won't allow me to support that decision," he said when asked whether Phogat should receive the silver medal.However, Higuchi expressed his disapproval of the two-day weigh-in process in wrestling events. "I don't like the rules where you have to make weight for the second day, but we play sports by the rules. And the rules are the same for everyone," he added.As the world awaits the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) verdict on Phogat's matter, Higuchi remains hopeful that she will find the strength to overcome this setback and continue her wrestling career.

India's wrestling performance at the Paris Olympic Games has been underwhelming, with only one bronze medal to show for their efforts. Aman Sehrawat's bronze in his maiden Olympic appearance is the lone bright spot, but the overall performance has been deemed ordinary by many.The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Sanjay Singh, attributes the lackluster showing to the protests that Indian wrestlers staged for over a year. The protests, sparked by allegations against former wrestling body chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, disrupted the wrestlers' training and preparation."The protests that took place for 14-15 months disturbed the entire wrestling fraternity," Singh told India Today. "The wrestlers in other categories struggled as they could not practice without national and international tournaments."Apart from Sehrawat and Vinesh Phogat, who impressed in Paris, other wrestlers like Anshu Malik, Reetika Hooda, Nisha Dahiya, and Antim Panghal failed to make an impact.Phogat, who was disqualified from the final for exceeding the weight limit, is still awaiting a verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on her plea for a silver medal. CAS has established an ad hoc division in Paris to handle Olympic cases, and a decision is expected by August 16.Phogat's disqualification was a major disappointment for India, as she was a strong contender for gold. She had reached the final by defeating Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals.The 29-year-old Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling after her disqualification. Her departure is a significant loss for Indian wrestling, as she has been one of the country's most successful wrestlers in recent years.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic medal hopes hang in the balance as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has once again postponed the verdict date for her appeal. The Indian wrestler was disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024 women's 50kg wrestling final for being 100 grams overweight.Phogat's appeal to CAS argues that she was within the permissible weight limit when she qualified for the final and should therefore be awarded a shared silver medal. However, the verdict date has been deferred twice, with the latest postponement to August 16.Phogat's legal team, including French lawyers and senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania, have been working tirelessly on her case. Singhania has expressed optimism about the lengthy deliberation by CAS, stating that it indicates serious consideration of the matter.Despite the low success rate at CAS, Singhania remains hopeful for a landmark decision in Phogat's favor. He acknowledges the difficulty of the case but believes in Phogat's determination and the strength of her legal team.Phogat's supporters and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) are eagerly awaiting the verdict, which could potentially grant her a long-awaited Olympic medal. Regardless of the outcome, Phogat's unwavering spirit and resilience have already made her a champion in the eyes of many.

Legendary Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has expressed his sympathy for wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was controversially disqualified from the Tokyo Olympics after weighing 100 grams over the permissible limit. Sreejesh believes that Phogat deserved a silver medal for her historic achievement of becoming the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final.Phogat's disqualification has sparked outrage in India, with many questioning the fairness of the decision. The wrestler has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) for a joint silver medal, but the verdict is still pending. Sreejesh, who retired after winning a bronze medal at the Paris Games, said he was deeply affected by Phogat's situation."If I was in her situation, I don't know what I would have done," Sreejesh said. "She was strong, she deserved a medal. It was snatched from her."However, Sreejesh also emphasized the importance of adhering to Olympic rules. He cited the case of Amit Rohidas, who was banned for lifting his stick during the quarter-final against Great Britain, resulting in India playing with 10 men for 42 minutes."The rules are made to make the game beautiful, controlled," Sreejesh said. "Indian athletes should be ready for that. They shouldn't give any chance to the federation, the organizing committee, or the International Olympic Committee (IOC)."Sreejesh expressed his hope that Phogat's case would serve as a lesson for all Indian athletes. He urged them to be strict with rules and regulations to avoid similar situations in the future."I am keeping my fingers crossed for Vinesh," Sreejesh said. "I know what she has been through. Qualifying for the Olympics final is an answer for all. I really felt bad for her, it's a tough situation."

Vinesh Phogat, India's wrestling icon and a medal hopeful for the Paris Olympics, faces an anxious wait for the outcome of her appeal against her disqualification from the 50kg freestyle event at the Tokyo Games. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has extended the deadline for the verdict to August 16, 2024.Phogat's disqualification stemmed from her failure to meet the weight requirement for the 50kg category. Despite shedding weight overnight, she was found to be 100 grams overweight at the second weigh-in, resulting in her disqualification and the awarding of the silver medal to Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez.The decision sparked outrage in India, with Phogat and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) filing an appeal with CAS. A team of French lawyers and renowned Indian counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania have been engaged to represent Phogat's case.Phogat's disqualification has been a major setback in her Olympic aspirations. The 29-year-old wrestler has been a dominant force in the 50kg and 53kg categories, winning multiple medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. She was considered a strong contender for a medal in Paris.However, Phogat's off-the-mat struggles have also cast a shadow over her career. She was a key figure in the sit-in protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, over allegations of sexual harassment. The Delhi Police have filed an FIR in the case, and a verdict is pending.Despite the challenges, Phogat remains determined to fight for her Olympic dream. The CAS verdict on August 16 will be a crucial moment in her career, determining whether she can continue her quest for an Olympic medal in Paris.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat's Olympic silver medal verdict has been postponed yet again by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The verdict, initially expected before the conclusion of the Paris Olympics 2024, has now been deferred to August 16.Phogat's appeal stems from her disqualification in the 53kg freestyle wrestling semifinals at the Tokyo Olympics. The Indian wrestler had initially defeated Cuban opponent Yusneylis Guzman Lopez but was disqualified for using an illegal hold. Lopez was subsequently promoted to the final, where she lost to Japan's Mayu Mukaida.In her appeal, Phogat argues that she should be awarded a joint silver medal with Lopez. The CAS ad hoc division president has granted an extension to the sole arbitrator, Hon. Dr. Annabelle Bennett, until 6:00 p.m. (Paris time) on August 16, 2024, to issue the verdict.The postponement has led to the cancellation of a scheduled Zoom meeting between IOA President Dr. PT Usha and Senior Counsel Mr. Harish Salve, who represented the Indian Olympic Association at the CAS hearing.Phogat's disqualification at the Tokyo Olympics sparked controversy and raised questions about the fairness of the decision. The Indian wrestler has maintained her innocence and expressed confidence in her appeal.The CAS verdict is eagerly awaited by Phogat and her supporters. A positive outcome could potentially rewrite the history of the Tokyo Olympics and grant her the recognition she believes she deserves.

Vinesh Phogat's journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a rollercoaster of emotions. Her disqualification from the women's 50kg wrestling final was a crushing blow, but her earlier victories had ignited euphoria among Indian sports fans.Phogat's biggest upset came in the opening round, where she outwitted the seemingly invincible Yui Susaki of Japan. Susaki, a four-time World Champion and Tokyo Games gold medalist, had an unblemished record of 82 bouts. However, Phogat's well-executed strategy and determination earned her a 2-3 victory.In the semifinals, Phogat faced Ukraine's Oksana Livach. Despite a tough battle, Phogat emerged victorious, securing her place in the final. However, her Olympic dream was cut short when she was disqualified for an illegal hold in the final against Susaki.Susaki, who had been given a second chance through the repechage, went on to win the bronze medal. However, she expressed deep regret for not winning gold. "I committed a betrayal," she wrote in a heartfelt note. "I wanted to win the gold medal for my family, teammates, and fans, but I couldn't do it."Despite the disappointment, Susaki vowed to continue her journey towards becoming an Olympic champion. "As long as there are people who still support me and believe in me, I am strongly willing to keep going hard again," she said.Phogat's disqualification was a setback, but her earlier victories showcased her resilience and determination. She remains a role model for aspiring wrestlers and a source of inspiration for Indian sports fans.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic Medal Quest: A Landmark Case at CASIndian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's fight for a silver medal at the Paris Olympics has reached a critical juncture at the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS). Phogat's lawyer, Vidushpat Singhania, has expressed cautious optimism about the outcome, despite the historically low success rate at CAS.Singhania acknowledged the challenges in securing a favorable verdict, but emphasized the significance of Phogat's case. "We are asking for a landmark decision from the arbitrator," he said. "It's a little difficult, but let's hope something big happens."Phogat's disqualification from the women's 50kg freestyle gold medal match due to an extra 100 gm weight during weigh-in has sparked controversy. She has appealed to CAS, demanding a joint silver medal.The ad hoc division of CAS has extended the deadline for the Sole Arbitrator, Hon. Dr. Annabelle Bennett, to give a decision until 5:00 p.m. on August 13, 2024. This extension suggests that the matter is being taken seriously by the arbitrator.Singhania highlighted the importance of public support for Phogat. "Let's all pray for Vinesh," he said. "Let's hope she gets a medal. Even if she doesn't get it, she is a champion."Phogat's case has garnered widespread attention in India, with many expressing their support for her. The outcome of the CAS hearing will not only determine Phogat's Olympic medal status but also set a precedent for future cases involving weight-related disqualifications.