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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.

Wrestling has been a consistent medal-winning sport for India at the Olympics, with the nation securing at least one medal in every edition since 2008. In the past five Games, wrestling has yielded seven medals for India, including bronze for Sushil Kumar (2008), silver for Sushil Kumar (2012), bronze for Yogeshwar Dutt (2012), bronze for Sakshi Malik (2016), silver for Ravi Kumar Dahiya (2021), bronze for Bajrang Punia (2021), and bronze for Aman Sehrawat (2024).Notably, all the male wrestlers mentioned above, except Sakshi Malik, are products of the renowned Chhatrasal Akhada, a breeding ground for Indian wrestling talent. Established in 1988 by former Indian wrestler Satpal Singh and coaches Ramphal Mann and Pradeep Sharma, the akhada was founded with the aim of producing Olympic medalists.Satpal Singh, who had won multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games but missed out on an Olympic podium in his two appearances, was driven by the desire to fill this void in his career. "There was a pain in my heart of not winning an Olympic medal," he said. "That's why I started the akhada at the Chhatrasal Stadium. I wanted to churn out Olympic medalists for the country."Initially, the akhada focused on traditional dirt floors, but over time, it has been equipped with modern facilities and equipment to meet the needs of aspiring wrestlers. In 2024, Aman Sehrawat continued Chhatrasal's legacy by securing a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.The success of Chhatrasal Akhada can be attributed to its rigorous training regimen, experienced coaches, and a supportive environment that fosters excellence. The akhada has produced not only Olympic medalists but also numerous national and international champions, making it a testament to the transformative power of sports in shaping the lives of young athletes.

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.

Aman Sehrawat's bronze medal victory in the men's 57kg freestyle wrestling event at the Olympics has brought some respite to the Indian contingent amidst controversies. The 21-year-old U-23 world champion lived up to expectations, defeating Darian Toi Cruz of Puerto Rico 13-5 in the bronze play-off.Sehrawat's triumph ensures that India's streak of winning at least one wrestling medal at every Olympics since 2008 remains intact. Sushil Kumar (2008), Yogeshwar Dutt (2012), Sakshi Malik (2016), Ravi Dahiya, and Bajrang Punia (2021) have all contributed to this impressive run.Sehrawat's victory also marks India's sixth medal at the Tokyo Games, bringing the country closer to matching its tally of seven from the previous edition. However, the Indian wrestling contingent has been marred by controversies, including the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the gold-medal bout due to being overweight and the deportation of Antim Panghal for using her sister's accreditation card.Sehrawat's journey to the bronze medal was not without its challenges. He faced a tough test in the semifinals against Japan's Rei Higuchi, but he had earlier stormed into the last four without conceding a single point.The Indian wrestler's success is a testament to his hard work and dedication. Having lost his parents at a young age, Sehrawat found solace in the Chhatrasal stadium, where he honed his skills under the guidance of renowned coaches. The same stadium has produced four other Olympic medalists for India, including Sushil Kumar and Bajrang Punia.Sehrawat's victory is a source of inspiration for aspiring wrestlers in India. It demonstrates that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible.

India's hopes of a medal in women's wrestling at the Paris 2024 Olympics suffered a setback as Reetika Hooda lost to top-seeded Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan in the quarterfinals of the 76 kg freestyle event on Saturday.After a promising start, winning the first point by passivity, Reetika faced a determined comeback from Medet Kyzy in the second round. The Kyrgyz wrestler forced Reetika on defense and collected a point by passivity. As Medet Kyzy was the last wrestler to score, she emerged victorious based on countback.Despite the setback, the 21-year-old from Haryana still has a chance to secure a bronze medal through the repechage round. This opportunity will arise if Medet Kyzy advances to the final.Reetika's journey to the quarterfinals was marked by an impressive victory over two-time European Championships medalist Bernadette Nagy of Hungary. She dominated the bout, winning 12-2 via technical superiority.Reetika's rise to prominence has been remarkable. In 2023, she became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the U-23 World Championships, defeating Kennedy Blades of the United States. She also claimed a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Championships in Astana.Reetika's transition from the 72kg weight class to the 76kg category, which is part of the Olympic roster, is a testament to her adaptability and determination. She will now eagerly await Medet Kyzy's progress in the tournament, hoping for a chance to compete in the repechage round and secure a medal for India.

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.

India's Paris Olympics 2024: Day 15 to Witness Golf and Wrestling ActionAs India's Paris Olympics 2024 nears its conclusion, Day 15 promises excitement in golf and wrestling.Golf:Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar will compete in the final round of the women's individual stroke play. After a promising start, they slipped to 40th and 42nd positions, respectively, on the penultimate round. They will aim for a strong finish to improve their standings.Wrestling:Reetika will represent India in the women's freestyle 76kg Round of 16. If she emerges victorious, she will advance to the quarter-finals and semi-finals, which will take place later in the day.India's Performance on Day 14:Day 14 witnessed a historic achievement for India as Aman Sehrawat clinched a bronze medal in the men's 57kg freestyle wrestling category. He became the first Indian wrestler to win a medal at Paris 2024 and the youngest Indian to do so at the Olympics.India's medal tally now stands at six, with Manu Bhaker contributing two bronze medals in shooting, Swapnil Kusale adding another in shooting, Neeraj Chopra securing a silver in javelin throw, and the men's hockey team earning a bronze.Schedule for India on Paris Olympics 2024 Day 15:Golf:* 12:30 PM IST - Women's individual stroke play (Round 4) - Aditi Ashok and Diksha DagarWrestling:* 3:00 PM IST - Women's freestyle 76kg Round of 16 - Reetika* 4:20 PM IST - Women's freestyle 76kg quarter finals (if qualified) - Reetika* 10:25 PM IST - Women's freestyle 76kg semifinal (if qualified) - Reetika

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's quest for a silver medal at the Paris Olympics took a significant step forward as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ad-hoc division concluded its hearing on her appeal. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) expressed optimism for a favorable outcome.Phogat was disqualified from the women's 50kg freestyle final after weighing in 100 grams over the permissible limit. The American wrestler, Sarah Ann Hildebrandt, subsequently won the gold medal. Phogat appealed for a joint silver medal, arguing that the weight discrepancy was unintentional and did not affect her performance.The CAS ad-hoc division, established specifically for dispute resolution during the Games, accepted Phogat's appeal. The hearing took place virtually on Friday, with Phogat represented by senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania. United World Wrestling, the governing body for wrestling, also presented its case.The IOA released a statement expressing its confidence in a positive resolution. "IOA deems its duty to back Vinesh and would like to reaffirm its steadfast, unflinching, and unwavering support to her, regardless of the outcome of this matter," said IOA president PT Usha.Initially, reports suggested an interim order would be issued on Friday, but no official communication has been made yet. The IOA stated that the Sole Arbitrator, Dr. Annabelle Bennett AC SC, indicated that the operative part of the order may be expected soon, followed by a detailed order with reasons.International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach acknowledged Phogat's plea but raised concerns about setting precedents. "Where do you make the cut? Do you say with 100gms, we give it but with 102(gms), we don't give it anymore?" he said.Phogat's appeal has garnered widespread attention and support in India. The wrestling community and fans alike are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the CAS hearing, hoping for a just resolution that recognizes Phogat's hard work and dedication.