India's wrestling federation has appealed the disqualification of star athlete Vinesh Phogat at the Paris Olympics after she failed to meet the weight requirement for the women's 50kg final.
World bronze medallist Phogat, 29, had been in the spotlight for months last year as part of a long-running protest against the then-chief of Indian wrestling, who was involved in a sexual harassment scandal. Phogat was scheduled to compete against Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States for the gold medal but was found to be overweight for her category. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has filed an appeal with the global governing body United World Wrestling to reconsider the decision to disqualify Phogat.
"Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning," the IOA stated in a release. IOA president PT Usha expressed shock at Phogat's disqualification, noting that the team is providing her with "all medical and emotional support". Phogat, a strong contender for gold at her third Olympic appearance, was met with shock back home.
"I wish words could convey the sense of despair that I am experiencing," Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on social media. "Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you." Phogat led a weeks-long sit-in protest in New Delhi last year against then-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a lawmaker from Modi's ruling party. Singh is facing trial on accusations of groping female athletes and demanding sexual favours from them, charges he denies.
Wrestling is immensely popular in rural northern India, and images of Phogat and other athletes being detained as they tried to march to parliament during the protest spread widely on social media. "Vinesh, you are a gold medallist of courage and morality," said Bajrang Punia, a fellow leader of last year's protests and a Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, on social media. "You have fought with grit," he added. "Nobody wants to believe what happened this morning."
