"I think it might be sabotage" - Former Indian boxer Vijender Singh on Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from Paris Olympics 2024 

India's only Olympic gold medalist in men's boxing Vijender Singh has expressed his views on the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics 2024 final. Phogat was disqualified from the Olympics after reaching the finals of women's wrestling in the 50 Kg category. She missed weight by 100 grams and was admitted to the hospital due to dehydration during the weight-cutting process.

"I think it might be sabotage. 100gm, you have got to be kidding me. We athletes can shed five to six kgs overnight. It is difficult no doubt but we know how to control our hunger, and thirst, and exert to the extreme," said Vijender Singh in an interview with PTI.

"And when I say sabotage, I mean people who are not happy to see India rise as a sporting nation. This girl has been through so much, your heart breaks for her. What more could she have done? Which other test?" the middleweight boxer expressed his shock over Vinesh's disqualification.

Vinesh Phogat has been through some major struggles in her wrestling career. During the Tokyo Olympics 2016, she was injured and failed to proceed in the competition.

Phogat was also the face of protests in India against Wrestling Federation of India head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexual harassment and intimidation by women wrestlers.

Vijender Singh also expressed his disappointment with Vinesh Phogat during the same interview.

"I can't believe that Vinesh would make a mistake like this. She has been an elite athlete for so long that she knows, there has to be something more to it. I am worried for her, I hope she is fine. What has happened is not good at all," said India's elite boxer in an interview with PTI.

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Vijender Singh's struggles with cutting weight

Vijender Singh won a bronze medal for India at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the middleweight category. Vijender also has three silver and one bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games to his name.

During the interview with PTI, Vijender mentioned his struggles with cutting weight during the competitions.

"There have been times when I have spat out saliva continuously so that nothing goes inside, you know. One can't imagine this extreme exercise. There are special Sauna suits that we wear, they feel like a furnace and there are times we run wearing them to shed weight," he said.