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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.

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.

The Paris 2024 Olympics witnessed a series of astonishing upsets, proving that even the most dominant athletes can be dethroned.Tennis:Zheng Qinwen of China stunned the tennis world by defeating Iga Swiatek, the reigning French Open champion, in the women's singles semifinals. Zheng's victory marked the first time an Asian player had won Olympic gold in singles tennis.Athletics:Noah Lyles, the favorite in the men's 200m, was upset by Botswana's Letsile Tebogo. Lyles, who had won the 100m gold earlier in the Games, finished with a bronze medal. In the men's 1500m, USA's Cole Hocker set a new Olympic record and claimed the gold medal, leaving world champion Josh Kerr and defending champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen behind.Wrestling:India's Vinesh Phogat defeated Japan's Yui Susaki, the reigning Olympic champion in women's wrestling. However, Phogat's triumph was short-lived as she was disqualified for failing to make the weight cut for her final bout.Swimming:China ended the United States' 64-year unbeaten streak in the men's 4x100m relay swimming medley. The Chinese team delivered an incredible performance, with Pan Zhanle executing a remarkable comeback in the anchor leg.Table Tennis:Wang Chuqin of China, the world's top-ranked player, was upset by Swedish player Truls Moregard in the men's singles table tennis competition. Moregard fought back from a 2-0 deficit to win the match 4-2.Other Upsets:Jamaica failed to win a medal in the men's 100m, 200m, or 4x100m relay for the first time in decades. The U.S. women's water polo team, considered the most dominant in the world, was knocked out in the semifinals and failed to win a medal. The U.S. men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams also struggled, with the men's team failing to qualify for the Games and the women's team settling for bronze.These upsets serve as a reminder that even the most favored athletes can be defeated, and that the Olympic Games are a stage where anything is possible.

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.

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.