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Women At Olympics News

Silver Medal In The Books For Vinesh Phogat? Decision Moved To August 13

The Court of Arbitration for Sports is hearing a plea by wrestler Vinesh Phogat against her disqualification from the Paris Olympics. She appealed for a joint silver medal.

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Tanya Savkoor
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Image: David Ramos, Getty Images

In a significant update on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's appeal against her disqualification at the Paris Olympics, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has postponed its final verdict. Phogat, who had requested a joint silver medal after being disqualified for being overweight following her semi-final victory, will now have to wait until August 13 for the ruling.

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Silver Medal In The Books For Vinesh Phogat?

The hearing, which concluded on August 8, saw senior advocate Harish Salve agree to represent Phogat in her plea at CAS. Initially, the final decision was scheduled to be announced on August 11 at 6 p.m. Paris time (9:30 p.m. IST). However, the verdict has now been deferred, with the final outcome anticipated by 9:30 p.m. IST on August 13.

The Ad hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) heard a plea by distinguished wrestler Vinesh Phogat on August 10, challenging her disqualification from the Paris Olympics. The athlete was deemed ineligible to compete in the finals match on August 7 as she allegedly did not meet the qualifying standard for the women's 50 kg category. Phogat, represented by senior advocate Harish Salve, appealed for a joint silver medal. The arguments were presented by her team of legal representatives and representatives of the United World Wrestling, the second party in this case.

The Indian Olympic Association reportedly seems confident that the case will end in Phogat's favour. President PT Usha said, “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. We are proud of her countless achievements on the wrestling mat throughout her stellar career." The official interim report is expected before the Paris Olympics is concluded on August 11.

Vinesh Phogat Announces Retirement

Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling on August 8 after her heartbreaking disqualification. She wrote in Hindi on X (Twitter), "Mom, wrestling has defeated me, I have lost. Your dream, my courage, they are all broken. I don't have any more strength now." The Indian Olympic Association said in a statement that she tried everything in her capacity to compete in her historic finals bout-- staying up all night jogging, skipping, cycling, crash dieting -- but remained approximately 2 kilograms over the criteria.

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Phogat emerged as a national sensation on August 6, as she became the first Indian to reach the finals of women's wrestling in the Olympics. She defeated Cuba's Yusneylys Guzman 5-0 in the women's 50kg freestyle semi-finals. In the quarterfinals, the 29-year-old Indian achieved yet another stunning milestone as she defeated Yui Susaki of Japan, an Olympic gold medallist and World No. 1 of women's wrestling who had almost never been defeated.

With these remarkable achievements, Phogat etched her name into the annals of history and became a household name in Indian sports. However, the disqualification due to the weight standard left her broken, leading to the retirement announcement. Phogat's journey in the sport was anything but straightforward. For over a year, she and many other top Indian wrestlers fought a battle away from the mat, dismantling abuse of power in the Wrestling Federation of India.

Wrestlers Protests To Olympic Glory

Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia-- these names made numerous headlines in 2023, yet not for a reason the nation anticipated. These prominent wrestlers held impassioned protests against the leadership of the Wrestlers Federation of Inda (WFI), taking to the streets to have their voices heard.

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The wrestlers demanded the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the chief of WFI and a Bharatiya Janata Party leader, who had been accused of sexually assaulting many female athletes including some minors. The nationwide controversy put the athletes in the spotlight for reasons far from their athletic prowess.

The athletes, who have represented India and made the nation proud on the global stage, were seen getting pushed, shoved, and dragged from the protest sites. While Brij Bhushan was ultimately suspended, his close aide Sanjay Singh was elected as the new WFI President, failing the efforts of the athletes.

Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik announced her retirement from wrestling over Sanjay Singh's leadership, highlighting how the Indian sports space had made light of the athletes' fight against injustice. However, for Vinesh Phogat, the athletic spirit to overcome adversity remained unwavering.

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Phogat returned to competition in February 2024, poised to make a powerful comeback. She set a precedent for sportsmanship, emerging not only as an Olympic finalist but also as a personification of perseverance. Which is why her decision to step away from the sport has shattered a million hearts today.

anushka sharma
Image: Anushka Sharma Instagram story

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