Paris Olympics 2024: Could Vinesh Phogat have won a silver medal by citing injury despite being 100gm overweight?

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the women's wrestling 50kg category at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 29-year-old was 100 gm overweight in the weight check done on Wednesday morning (August 7) ahead of the final against America's Sarah Hildebrandt.

Last night (August 6), Phogat scripted history by becoming the first Indian in Olympic history to qualify for the women's wrestling final. Unfortunately, she will have to return home without any medal as she has been placed last on the official final standings.

Some fans on social media discussed whether Vinesh Phogat could still have won the silver medal in the 50 kg category had she withdrawn from the final before the weight check citing injury or illness as a reason. However, that is not true. Journalist Jonathan Selvaraj corrected a fan on X and tweeted:

"According to the UWW rules on weighing in, unless you are medically certified as unable to continue during your bout, you have to give weigh ins the next day. No exceptions. This is not a case of her team not knowing the rules."

A fan further mentioned that Phogat could have landed in unnecessary trouble had she or her team falsely claimed an injury or illness.

Vinesh Phogat has been unlucky at the Olympics in the past as well

This was the third time Vinesh Phogat represented India in women's wrestling at the Olympics. In 2016, she was among the favorites to win a medal but suffered a brutal injury during her quarterfinal match against China's Sun Yanan. Phogat had to be stretchered off the mat and walked on crutches for two weeks.

In Tokyo 2020, she was the number one seed in her weight class and knocked out Rio 2016 bronze medalist Sofia Mattsson in the first round. However, Phogat lost her quarterfinal against Vanesa Kaladzinskaya from Belarus by a 3-0 margin. Vanesa then lost her semifinal bout and ended Phogat's repechage hopes as well.

Until last night, Vinesh Phogat was set to win at least a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Unfortunately, she will not get that as well now.