IOA Delegation with UWW Chief Nenad Lalovc. (UWW)
The IOA feel that Phogat’s results from the first day of the event, Tuesday, should be held up as she made the cut during the weigh-in. UWW chief Nenad Lalovic was reportedly empathetic but explained the necessity to adhere to the stipulations citing the long-term health of the athletes.
A delegation from the Indian Olympic Association comprising IOA chief PT Usha met with United World Wrestling head Nenad Lalovic amid the disqualification of star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the final of the 50 Kg freestyle event at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Phogat scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic wrestling final, but was shattered to be disqualified when she couldn’t make weight on the day of the final.
The IOA feel that Phogat’s results from the first day of the event, Tuesday, should be held up as she made the cut during the weigh-in.
Serbian Lalovic was reportedly empathetic towards the situation but explained to the Indian delegation about the necessity for rules and the requirement to adhere to the same citing the long-term health of the athletes in mind.
Discussions over the same could take place with the world wrestling body analysing the events of the showpiece in order to find a solution to similar situations moving forward, however, retrospective evaluation of the same is highly unlikely.
Phogat got the better of reigning Olympic gold-medallist Yui Susaki in her Round of 16 bout to kick things off on Tuesday before claiming a convincing win over Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals. The Indian grappler secured a medal with her win over Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semis to seal her place in the gold medal clash.
However, calamity struck as she couldn’t make weight during the weigh-in on the day of the final, Wednesday, and was disqualified from the event.
The 29-year-old wrestler has appealed the decision at the Court of Arbitration of Sport, claiming silver for her efforts, and a decision from CAS is expected to come in around noon on Thursday.
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