Phogat had fasted for a week, worked out and spent hours in the sauna to trim kilos from his usual weight of 55-56kg to reach his competition weight.
India's Vinesh Phogat cut her hair and was forced to wear a smaller shirt but still fell 100 grams short of Olympic glory in a cruel twist to the rollercoaster career of one of the most attractive fighters of her time at the Paris Games.
While over a billion Indians went to sleep on Tuesday night thinking they were assured of a silver medal and dreaming of a Phogat gold, the 29-year-old was doing everything she could to get under the 50kg mark.
However, none of the measures worked and Phogat was disqualified on Wednesday and Cuban Yusneylis Guzman, whom she beat in the semifinals, replaced her in the freestyle final against Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States.
It was a sad end to a campaign that began with the biggest upset of the competition in Paris when Phogat stunned defending champion Yui Susaki in what was the Japanese fighter's first loss to a foreigner.
Phogat had practically starved himself for a week, working out and spending hours in the sauna as part of his regular process of reducing the kilos from his natural weight of 55-56kg to his competition weight.
“He was given some water to prevent dehydration before his bouts on Tuesday and subsequently his weight increased more than normal,” said Dinshaw Paudiwala, medical director of the Indian delegation.
“We had tried all possible drastic measures throughout the night, including cutting her hair and shortening her clothes, but despite all this we could not succeed.” Phogat was later put on an IV but was medically fine, she added.
After the match, the athlete announced her retirement.
“Wrestling won and I lost. My dreams were shattered. I have no strength left,” Phogat wrote on X. “Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. I will always be indebted to all of you. I am sorry.”
Indian athletes and officials also expressed their support on social media following Wednesday's disqualification.
“I am completely devastated,” wrote Abhinav Bindra, an Indian shooter and winner of the men's 10m air rifle competition at the 2008 Olympics, on X. “Sometimes you don't need a gold medal to be a real champion in the eyes of the people.”
I am completely devastated. Sometimes you don't need a gold medal to be a real champion for the people…
– Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 7, 2024
Geeta Phogat, who became the first Indian wrestler to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010, also showed her support.
Legend 🇮🇳🙏 @Phogat_Vinesh photo.twitter.com/d5s6st7at0
— geeta phogat (@geeta_phogat) August 8, 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called her a “champion among champions”.
Vinesh, you are a champion among champions. You are the pride of India and an inspiration to all Indians.
Today's setback pains me. I wish words could express the feeling of despair I am experiencing.
At the same time, I know that you are the perfect example of resilience. You always have been…
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2024
