Vinesh Phogat appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sports to challenge disqualification, seeks Olympic silver medal

Vinesh Phogat, previously disqualified from the women’s 50kg wrestling final at the Paris Olympics 2024 for exceeding the permissible weight limit by 100 grams, has chosen to submit an appeal in Court of Arbitration for Sport against the ruling. She has requested for the Olympic silver medal to be awarded to her. The Court of Arbitration for Sport or CAS is a global organization established in 1984 to resolve disputes in sports through arbitration. Vinesh has demanded an immediate hearing and has asked for two silver medals to be awarded. The decision will be announced on Thursday.

USA’s Sarah Ann Hildebrandt, who was Vinesh’s rival in the final, was set to face Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the final following the disqualification of the Indian. Vinesh had defeated Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semi-final.

“Let’s observe how it unfolds. The Indian contingent has conducted proper research,” Saurav Ghoshal, prominent Indian squash player, stated on Jio Cinema.

After Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification in the 50 kg division final at Paris Olympics, former Indian wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt expressed that it was a missed opportunity for India to secure a medal. In a significant setback to India’s medal aspirations in wrestling, wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the 50 kg women’s wrestling competition for exceeding the weight limit.

In an interview with ANI, Yogeshwar remarked that it was distressing to witness her disqualification in the 50 kg wrestling event. He emphasized the need for support for Vinesh.

“It is a missed chance for India and also for Vinesh. It is distressing the way she was disqualified. It is crucial to support her as she was representing India. Similar incidents have occurred with international athletes as well. Unfortunately, politics is being dragged into this. All international wrestlers are aware of UWW and Olympic regulations,” Yogeshwar stated.

Vinesh Phogat had advanced to the Gold Medal match after defeating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday night.

With ANI contributions