Explained: What is the weigh-in rule in Wrestling? Why was Vinesh Phogat disqualified from Paris Olympics 2024?

Vinesh Phogat, the Indian wrestler who had become the first-ever Indian female wrestler to qualify for the finals at the Olympics, was disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024 since she was found overweight by just 100 grams.

Phogat had beaten Yui Susaki, Oksana Livach and Yusneylys Guzmán in the pre-quarters, quarters and semi-finals before reaching the finals. Sadly, everything changed for Vinesh Phogat and nearly 1.4 Billion Indian fans when she failed the weight test today.  

The three-time Commonwealth Games Gold medalist was found 100 gms overweight, and as per the rule of the United World Wrestling, she will be scraped from medals and will be placed last in the tournament.

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How does the weigh-in happen?

As per United World Wrestling Article no. 11, "For all competitions, the weigh-in is organised each morning of the concerned weight category. The weigh-in and the medical control lasts 30 minutes. The second morning of the concerned weight category only the wrestlers who participate in the repechages and finals have to come for the weigh-in. This weigh-in will last 15 minutes. "

2kg tolerance allowed on the first day

There are two kinds of rules for two weigh-in days as per United World Wrestling. As per their rule, they allow a 2kg tolerance on the first day of weigh-in but do not allow the same for the next day.

"The medical control and a first weigh-in will be held the morning of the concerned weight category. The qualified athletes for the finals and repechages will be weigh-in again the second morning of the concerned weight category. No more weight tolerance will be allowed for the second weigh-in."

"2kg weight tolerance is allowed for World Cup, UWW Ranking Series Tournaments and for the International Tournaments," article no. 3 of the United World Wrestling states.

So, this means Vinesh was below 52kg yesterday morning but had to be below 50kg to be able to play in the finals.

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Vinesh and the team did everything they could do

Sources from Vinesh Phogat's team reveal the harrowing run up to the weigh in this morning. #Paris2024 | #OlympicGames | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/ynCLLkUPc0

— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) August 7, 2024

Vinesh Phogat and her team did everything they could do the shred off those extra two kilos. But, cutting down extra weight from the body is an extremely rigorous process.

The wrestler needs to cut down on water, food and everything and at the same time lose calories doing exercise to lose weight. Vinesh did everything.

She was seen doing jumping ropes in a sweat suit and worked on it throughout the day. This caused her a tremendous amount of dehydration and had to be hospitalised right after disqualification.

Examples of wrestlers getting disqualified due to not making the weight limit at Paris Olympics 2024

Yes, there are three more wrestlers who were disqualified as they could not make the weight limit at the Paris Olympics 2024.

• Stevan Mićić (Serbia) - Men's Freestyle 57kg
• Batyrbek Tsakulov (Slovakia) - Men's Freestyle 65kg
• Danila Semenov (Russia) - Men's Light Heavyweight (80-92kg)

Dear @Phogat_Vinesh, you will always be a champion in our eyes. I was deeply hoping you could win the gold. The little time I spent with you at PDCSE was watching a woman with a superhuman will fight to get better. It was inspiring. I am here for you always, sending all the…

— Pvsindhu (@Pvsindhu1) August 7, 2024