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The Paris Olympics may have concluded, but the drama surrounding Vinesh Phogat's disqualification continues. On Tuesday, August 13, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) will deliver its verdict on Phogat's appeal for a joint silver medal.Phogat's disqualification stemmed from her failure to meet the weight limit for the women's 50kg freestyle final. Despite becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final, she was barred from competing after being found overweight by 100 grams.Phogat, backed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), appealed to the CAS, arguing that the excess weight was due to the distance between the competition venue and the Games Village, as well as the tight schedule between her bouts. They also claimed that the 100-gram weight difference provided no competitive advantage.However, the United World Wrestling (UWW) has maintained that it adhered to the rules of the competition and that there will be no major overhaul in the weigh-in rules.Despite the UWW's stance, a loophole in the rulebook has emerged that Phogat could potentially exploit. According to the rules for the repechage round, athletes who lost to the eventual finalists are eligible for a second chance to compete for the bronze medal. In the women's 50kg category, Yui Susaki, who lost to Phogat in the opening bout, competed in the repechage round and won a bronze medal.This raises the question of why Susaki was allowed to compete in the repechage round if Phogat was ranked last following her disqualification. By allowing Susaki to compete, the UWW indirectly indicated that Phogat was a finalist, contradicting their own rules.Irrespective of the CAS verdict, the case is likely to continue for weeks or months, as either side is expected to re-appeal.

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who made headlines at the Paris Olympics 2024, is set to return to India on Tuesday, August 13th. Phogat, along with Olympic bronze medalist Aman Sehrawat, is expected to arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, by 10:30 am.Phogat's return comes after a rollercoaster of emotions at the Games. She stormed into the final of the women's 50kg freestyle event, defeating wrestling legend Yui Susaki of Japan. However, her Olympic dream was shattered when she was disqualified from the gold medal match for being 100gm overweight during the weigh-in.Devastated by the disqualification, Phogat appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), demanding a joint silver medal. The CAS has extended the deadline for the Sole Arbitrator to deliver a verdict until 5:00 p.m. on August 13th.Phogat's disqualification sparked outrage in India, with sports icons and fans alike expressing their support for the wrestler. She had previously led protests against the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexual harassment and intimidation.Despite the setback, Phogat remains a role model for aspiring wrestlers in India. Her determination and resilience have inspired many, and her return to the country is sure to be met with a warm welcome.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic fate hangs in the balance as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) prepares to issue a verdict on her disqualification from the Paris Games. The Indian wrestler was disqualified after failing to make weight for her 50kg final bout, and she has appealed for a shared silver medal.The CAS hearing took place on Friday, and the sole arbitrator, Dr. Annabelle Bennett, was expected to issue a decision by the end of the Games. However, she has sought more time, and the verdict is now expected on Tuesday. The reasoned order will be issued at a later date.Vinesh has taken the United World Wrestling (UWW) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) to court, arguing that the results of her first three bouts should not have been wiped out. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is also part of the case as an interested party.In a statement issued on Sunday, IOA president PT Usha defended Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, the IOA's Chief Medical Officer, who has been criticized for his role in the events leading up to Vinesh's disqualification. Usha clarified that the responsibility for weight management lies with the athletes and their coaches, not the IOA or Dr. Pardiwala.Vinesh's team has argued that she was delayed in the weight cut process due to the distance between the wrestling venue and the Athletes' Village. They have also pointed out that the amount of weight she needed to lose was negligible.The IOC and UWW have argued that if the line is pushed for 100 grams, it could lead to a slippery slope. However, some coaches have expressed concern about women having to shed weight twice in such events and have called for relaxation in the rules.The CAS verdict will have a significant impact on Vinesh's career. If she is reinstated, she will have a chance to win an Olympic medal. However, if her disqualification is upheld, it will be a major setback for the Indian wrestler.

India's Olympic campaign in Paris concluded with six medals, but the nation eagerly awaits a potential seventh that could match their Tokyo Games record. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) on behalf of wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the gold-medal bout in the women's 50kg freestyle event due to being 100 grams overweight.Vinesh's team presented their case to CAS, arguing that her weight gain was due to the distance between the competition venue and the Athletes Village, as well as the tight schedule between bouts. They emphasized that the excess weight did not provide her with any competitive advantage and was a result of natural recovery processes.Vinesh's legal team also invoked the principle of proportionality, arguing that the consequences of her disqualification were disproportionate to the minor weight excess. They highlighted her hard work and the silver medal she earned through her performance.Despite criticism of the IOA medical team, the association has expressed unwavering support for Vinesh. IOA President PT Usha stated that the association considers it their duty to back her.The CAS is expected to announce its verdict on Vinesh's plea on August 13. If successful, India could match their best-ever Olympic medal tally of seven.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has clarified that the responsibility for weight management of athletes in sports like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, and judo lies with the individual athletes and their coaches, not with the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala and his team.IOA President Dr. PT Usha emphasized that each Indian athlete participating in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in these sports has their own support team that has been working with them for years. These teams include nutritionists and physiotherapists who are responsible for monitoring and managing the athletes' weight.The IOA appointed a medical team a few months ago primarily to assist in the recovery and injury management of athletes during and after competitions. This team was also intended to support athletes who did not have their own team of medical professionals.Dr. Usha condemned the hate directed at the IOA medical team, particularly Dr. Pardiwala, and urged those criticizing the team to consider all the facts before making judgments.This clarification comes after Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the women's 50 kg final at the Paris Olympics for exceeding the weight limit. Phogat has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to award her the silver medal.CAS has extended the deadline for delivering its verdict on Phogat's appeal to Tuesday, August 13. The ad hoc division of CAS has granted the sole arbitrator, Dr. Annabelle Bennett, additional time to consider the case.Reacting to the extension, Vinesh Phogat's uncle, Mahavir Phogat, expressed his patience and willingness to accept the decision whenever it is announced.Following her disqualification, Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling. She had achieved significant success in her career, including two World Championships bronze medals, an Asian Games gold medal, and three Commonwealth Games gold medals.

Vinesh Phogat's illustrious wrestling career came to an abrupt and heartbreaking end at the World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. The 29-year-old, who has been a dominant force in the sport for over a decade, was disqualified from the final due to being 100 grams overweight.Phogat had qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024 in the 50kg weight category, having dropped down from her usual 53kg. She faced a daunting task in her opening bout against defending champion Yui Susaki, who had been unbeaten since 2010. However, Phogat pulled off a dramatic 3-2 victory, leaving her in tears of joy.She continued her impressive run by defeating Ukraine's Oksana Livach in the quarter-final and Cuba's Yusneylys Guzman in the semi-final. But her hopes of a gold medal were dashed when she failed to make weight for the final.Phogat's disqualification sent shockwaves through the wrestling community. She immediately announced her retirement, citing the incident as the final straw in a series of setbacks. Last year, she had been involved in protests against the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Singh.Former Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra expressed his sympathy for Phogat, but emphasized the importance of adhering to the rules of the sport. "Sport is always governed by rules," he said. "If you don't govern sport by rules then there is no sport."The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was scheduled to give its verdict on Phogat's appeal for a joint silver medal on Saturday, but the decision has been postponed.Phogat's disqualification marks a sad end to a remarkable career. She has won two World Championship bronze medals, three Commonwealth Games gold medals, and multiple medals in Asian Games and Asian Championships. Her determination and fighting spirit have inspired countless young wrestlers in India.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic medal hopes remain in limbo as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has postponed its verdict on her appeal against disqualification from the women's 50kg freestyle final at the Paris Olympics 2024. The ad-hoc division of CAS will now announce its decision on August 13.Phogat, who was the favorite for gold, was disqualified after being found overweight by 100 grams during the weigh-in on Wednesday morning ahead of the final. She appealed to CAS for a joint silver medal alongside Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who had lost to the Indian but was promoted to the final as her replacement.Amid the wait, Phogat has received support from fellow Olympians, including Neeraj Chopra, who won silver in men's javelin throw in Paris. Chopra expressed hope for a positive outcome but also voiced concerns about the public's memory if the decision goes against Phogat."If she gets the medal, it would be very good. If things had not panned out the way they did, she would have had the medal. I hope she gets it because if you don't have it around your neck, that thing stays in your heart," Chopra said."Today people might say that she is our champion but, I feel till the time one is not on the podium they will forget after a few days. Mujhe yeh darr hai bas. Agar aisa na hota, a medal wouldn't have mattered. So, I hope she gets the medal. I just hope whether she gets the medal or not, people don't forget what she did for the country," he added.Phogat's disqualification has sparked controversy, with many questioning the fairness of the weigh-in process. The Indian wrestler has maintained that she was within the weight limit and that the scales used were inaccurate.The CAS verdict on August 13 will determine whether Phogat will receive a silver medal or remain without an Olympic medal. The outcome will have a significant impact on her legacy and the perception of the weigh-in process in wrestling.

The Indian wrestling contingent at the Paris Olympics has been rocked by a series of unfortunate events, leaving the camp in a state of panic.On Friday, Aman Sehrawat, who won bronze in the men's 57kg category, lost nearly five kilos in just 10 hours before his medal bout. This drastic weight loss left him physically weakened and unable to perform at his best.Meanwhile, Antim Panghal, one of India's medal prospects in wrestling, has revealed that she resorted to extreme measures to pass the weigh-in ahead of her opening bout. Panghal starved herself for 48 hours straight, consuming only minimal amounts of water. This left her body dehydrated and without any energy for her match, resulting in a humiliating 0-10 loss.Panghal's situation was exacerbated by the fact that her dietician, her sister Nisha, was not officially part of the Indian contingent and was not allowed inside the Olympic village. This left Panghal to manage her weight loss on her own, leading to her drastic decision to starve herself.The most devastating blow came on Saturday when Vinesh Phogat, India's usual candidate in the women's 53kg freestyle category, was disqualified from the final after being found overweight during the weigh-in. Phogat, who had become the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final, was 100 grams over the permissible limit.Heartbroken, Phogat initially announced her retirement from the sport but later appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver medal. The CAS is yet to make a decision on her appeal.These incidents have raised serious concerns about the well-being of Indian wrestlers and the lack of support they are receiving from the authorities. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has expressed its support for Phogat's appeal to the CAS, but it remains to be seen whether the court will rule in her favor.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic Journey: A Tale of Weight Management and Missed OpportunitiesAs the Paris Olympic Games approached, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat faced a significant challenge: competing in the 50kg category instead of her preferred 53kg weight class. This decision stemmed from the fact that Antim Panghal had secured the lone 53kg spot for India at the 2023 World Championships.Phogat had been wrestling in the 53kg category for several years and had even undergone ACL surgery in August 2022, which sidelined her for a few months. During this time, Panghal seized the opportunity to claim the Olympic quota for India in the 53kg weight class.Despite her desire to compete in the 53kg category, Phogat's request for a trial was not granted by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The federation conducted trials for the Asian Championships and Asian Olympic Qualifiers in March, but the final trials were not held due to concerns from quota-winning wrestlers that it would disrupt their Olympic preparations.In the trials, Phogat participated in both the 50kg and 53kg categories. She won the trials in the 50kg category, earning the right to compete at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek. She also achieved her target of reaching the top four in the 53kg category, which would have allowed her to challenge Panghal for the Olympic spot.However, the final trials were not held, and the WFI selection committee decided to send the respective quota-winners to their categories. This meant that Phogat was unable to challenge Panghal for the 53kg spot and had to settle for competing in the 50kg category.The decision to compete in the 50kg category was a significant challenge for Phogat, who had to manage her weight carefully to meet the lower weight limit. It remains a question of speculation whether Phogat would have been able to secure a medal in the 53kg category, where she had more experience and comfort.