Others

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.

Aman Sehrawat's remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics has etched his name in the annals of Indian wrestling history. The 21-year-old wrestler clinched India's first wrestling medal at the Games, a bronze in the men's freestyle 57kg category.Sehrawat's journey to the podium was marked by impressive victories and a resilient spirit. He began his campaign with a dominant performance in the round of 16, securing a win by superiority. He continued his winning streak in the quarterfinals, once again overpowering his opponent with his technical prowess.However, Sehrawat's path to the final was halted by top-seed Rei Higuchi of Japan in the semi-final. Despite a valiant effort, Sehrawat was unable to overcome the Japanese wrestler's experience and skill.Undeterred, Sehrawat shifted his focus to the bronze medal match against Puerto Rico's Darian Toi Cruz. The match started with Toi Cruz taking an early lead, but Sehrawat quickly regained control, locking his opponent's leg and flipping him to gain two points.The two wrestlers traded points in a swift exchange, with Sehrawat holding a narrow 4-3 lead at the break. In the second half, Sehrawat seized the initiative, gaining a three-point advantage by locking Toi Cruz.With the clock ticking down, Toi Cruz suffered a mid-bout injury, which clearly affected his performance. Sehrawat capitalized on his opponent's discomfort, extending his lead to seven points. Despite Toi Cruz's valiant efforts, Sehrawat secured a 13-5 victory, earning India its sixth medal at the Paris Olympics.Sehrawat's bronze medal is a testament to his hard work, determination, and exceptional wrestling skills. He joins an elite group of Indian male wrestlers who have won Olympic medals, including KD Jadhav, Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Ravi Dahiya, and Bajrang Punia.India's medal hopes in wrestling remain alive with Reetika Hooda set to compete in the women's freestyle 76kg event on Saturday. Additionally, Vinesh Phogat's appeal against her disqualification in the women's 50kg event is being heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), raising the possibility of another medal for India.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has expressed empathy for Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's situation but emphasized the importance of adhering to rules. Phogat was disqualified from the women's 50kg wrestling gold medal match after being found overweight by 100 grams.Bach acknowledged the human element in Phogat's predicament, stating that he understands her perspective. However, he stressed that the International Wrestling Federation (UWW) has the responsibility to enforce its regulations. He questioned the extent to which concessions can be made without compromising the integrity of the sport.Bach raised concerns about the potential implications of allowing exceptions to weight limits. He pointed out that in track events, where results are often determined by fractions of a second, a 100-gram weight difference could have a significant impact. He emphasized the need for consistency and fairness in applying rules across all sports.The IOC President also addressed the possibility of awarding two silver medals in Phogat's case. He stated that such a decision would not be possible under the current regulations. He reiterated that the UWW's decision must be respected.Phogat has appealed her disqualification to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Bach indicated that the IOC will abide by the CAS verdict. However, he emphasized that the UWW's interpretation of its rules must be taken into account.Bach's comments highlight the delicate balance between compassion and the need to maintain the integrity of sporting competitions. While he expressed sympathy for Phogat's situation, he also emphasized the importance of adhering to established rules and regulations.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic Disqualification: Former Wrestler Kripa Shankar Blames WFIFormer Indian wrestler Kripa Shankar has expressed his disappointment over Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024 due to being overweight. Vinesh, who was set to compete in the gold medal match on Wednesday, was disqualified for being a few grams overweight on the morning of her 50kg bout.Shankar, a former Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, believes that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is to blame for not implementing the practice of taking weights twice during national events. He claims that Vinesh did not have any prior experience of giving her weight twice during an event."I don't think Vinesh ever had the experience of going for weigh-ins twice. Even in the national tournaments, there is no such criteria of taking the weights of the wrestlers twice," Shankar told NDTV. "I had once asked the Indian wrestling body not to implement half-finished rules, but they suspended me for six years."Shankar also criticized the WFI for prioritizing cost-cutting over providing wrestlers with the necessary ecosystem to succeed. "I feel that the wrestling body wants to avoid extra expenditure by organizing a one-day tournament. By doing so, you are not giving the wrestlers the right ecosystem to wrestle," he said.According to the new rules, wrestlers must meet the weight limit on both days of competition. Vinesh was eligible to compete on Day 1 after she made the weight. However, she was found to be a kilogram overweight on Tuesday night and managed to reduce 900 grams overnight. Despite not sleeping or eating, she was unable to shed the remaining 100 grams of extra weight.If a wrestler is found overweight, they have 25 minutes to reduce it through methods such as cycling, running, or sauna. Shankar believes that reducing weight overnight is not an easy task."Giving weight is such an important practice in wrestling. This might be a small thing for many, but this has cost us big time (with Vinesh's disqualification)," Shankar said.Vinesh's disqualification has sparked outrage among Indian wrestling fans and raised questions about the WFI's handling of the situation. Shankar's comments have added fuel to the fire, highlighting the need for better support and infrastructure for Indian wrestlers.

India's Olympic journey continues at the Paris Games 2024, with grappler Aman Sehrawat vying for a bronze medal in the men's 57kg wrestling event. Sehrawat's hopes of a gold medal were dashed in the semifinals by Japanese top-seed Rei Higuchi, who dominated the bout with a 10-0 victory.Undeterred, Sehrawat will now face Puerto Rico's Darian Toi Cruz in the bronze medal match on Friday. The 21-year-old Indian had impressed in the earlier rounds, securing victories against formidable opponents. However, Higuchi's superior technique and experience proved too much for Sehrawat in the semifinals.In other events, the Indian women's 4x400m relay team will compete in Round 1 at 2:10pm, while the men's 4x400m relay team will take to the track at 2:35pm. In golf, Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar will represent India in the women's individual event, starting at 12:30pm.India's medal hopes remain alive, with Sehrawat's bronze medal match being a crucial opportunity to add to the country's tally. The young wrestler will be determined to make the most of this chance and secure a podium finish for India.

Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic silver medalist, expressed his disappointment and sadness over the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat at the Paris Olympics. Phogat, who had initially defeated Japan's Yui Susaki in her opening bout, was disqualified for being overweight by approximately 100 grams.Chopra, who witnessed Phogat's triumph before his own qualification, was deeply affected by the news. "Whatever she has done here is an example," he said. "To beat Yui Susaki is a huge achievement. And after that, what she has been through... I don't understand the rules of wrestling well, but she was confidently on her way to gold."Chopra acknowledged Phogat's remarkable journey, overcoming physical setbacks and injuries throughout her career. "Vineshji's journey has been tough," he said. "In 2016, she overcame a dangerous injury, and in 2020, she had more injuries. She has been through so many personal setbacks.""For her to come back from that, recover, and get herself to this position, it was going so well," Chopra continued. "But then, maybe God wished something else for her. But we know that whatever she has done is great."Chopra's empathy for Phogat stems from his own understanding of the challenges and sacrifices involved in Olympic competition. "I haven't spoken to Vinesh yet, but I felt hurt for her," he said. "I know how much hard work and dedication it takes to get to this level."Despite the disappointment, Chopra remains optimistic about India's performance at the Paris Games. "We have a lot of talented athletes who are capable of winning medals," he said. "We just need to stay focused and give our best."