Raphael Barbosa, the head coach of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA at the Middle East UFC Gym in Dubai, might not have been familiar with Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat until Wednesday, but over the past day, he has emerged as one of her most ardent supporters. Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling on Thursday, following her disqualification due to being overweight before her final in the 50 kg freestyle wrestling event at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday. The 29-year-old had met the weight limit on Tuesday when she secured victories in her first two matches, but after her semifinal, she exceeded her weight by more than two kilos. Her efforts to shed the extra weight proved futile, as she missed the weigh-in by just 100 grams on Wednesday morning, shattering her medal hopes.
Barbosa, who is fortunate that Jiu-Jitsu's weigh-in rules differ, allowing fighters to avoid retesting the next morning, speculated on how Phogat likely gained the extra weight during her three bouts on Tuesday. "It's challenging to comment from the outside, but it appears she was dehydrated post-matches, which is common. When your body requires supplements, taking them naturally increases your weight," Barbosa explained to the Khaleej Times. "That might be why she gained two additional kilos and was still fighting, making weight loss difficult."
Many, including prominent Indian badminton player Saina Nehwal, are harshly criticizing Phogat, solely blaming her for the setback. However, Barbosa argues it's unjust to single out the athlete who has dedicated much to compete in the Olympics. "Qualifying for the Olympics is one of the toughest feats. She has put in all the hard work to reach the Olympics and then the final. It's unfair to blame her for this," the Brazilian coach stated. The role of the coaching team is crucial in weight-based sports like wrestling, where athletes may compete in multiple matches in a day.
"In wrestling, the coaching team acts almost like caretakers, always alert because the fighter focuses on the next match. They must manage food and fluid intake meticulously, as every detail matters in such critical moments," he noted. Barbosa has a message for Phogat's critics, who overlook her achievements as a former World Championship medalist and gold medalist at the Asian and Commonwealth Games. "It's easy for people to judge from their couches while eating popcorn," he said. "I deeply sympathize with her. She now needs all the support from her fellow citizens."
