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The National Institute of Sport in Patiala was abuzz as Vinesh Phogat made a bold move by weighing in for both the 50 kg and 53 kg categories. She clinched victory in the 50 kg trials and finished in the top four of the 53 kg trials, ensuring her participation in the Olympics despite unclear rules.
On March 12, 2024, Phogat’s gamble brought her close to a medal at the Paris Olympics. However, her dream was dashed by a mere 100 grams.
Phogat had competed in the 48 kg category at the 2016 Rio Olympics, won gold in the 50 kg class at the Asian Games, and later secured a bronze in the 53 kg category at the 2019 World Championships. Struggling with weight cuts, she transitioned to the 53 kg category and even competed in the 55 kg class after the Tokyo Games. Despite winning a bronze at the 2022 World Championships in 53 kg, her return to wrestling was hampered by a knee ligament injury after leading protests against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
During her injury period, Antim Panghal won a bronze at the 2023 World Championships, securing a Paris Olympics quota for India in the 53 kg category. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) rules favored the quota winner for Olympic participation, leaving Phogat uncertain about her chances. The ad-hoc committee running Indian wrestling had assured her of trials for the 53 kg category, but with WFI’s return to power imminent, Phogat was unsure of a fair shot at the Olympics. Thus, on March 12, she opted for the 50 kg category, a weight class she last competed in 2018.
“I had no clarity about the 53kg quota situation, whether there would be trials or not. Usually, the quota is won by the country but they hadn’t held trials before. They (ad hoc committee) said that it wouldn’t be the case this time. I had no option but to do this because I have to participate in the Olympics,” Phogat explained.
Cutting down from her usual 55-56 kgs to 50 kg on consecutive days proved too taxing. United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic highlighted the significant weight cut as the primary issue, not just the final 100 grams.
American wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs suggested rule changes on social media to prevent similar situations: a 1 kg second-day weight allowance, later weigh-ins, forfeiture in finals if the opposing finalist misses weight, securing medals after semifinal victories even if weight is missed on Day 2, and awarding Vinesh the silver medal.
