As Indians across the world react to Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Olympics due to her being overweight, here is a look at how she has battled injuries to remain healthy for participation
Vinesh Phogat was supposed to fight US wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt for the gold medal. Photo Courtesy: File pic
Indian wrestler and Paris Olympics 2024 finalist Vinesh Phogat has reportedly been disqualified by the IOC from playing her final match against US wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt after it was found that she was 100 gm overweight in her 50 kilos category. The decision has left many Indians disappointed as it would have been India’s first chance at getting a gold or silver in this Olympics.
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Unfortunately, the dream seems unachievable, and worse for Phogat who has dealt with a lot in the last one year. In one of the most notable protests in Indian sports history, she along with other wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia organised a protest against the Wrestling Federation of India’s president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and coaches for allegedly sexually harassing female wrestlers for years. This is apart from the fact that she has had to deal with several health-related issues in the last eight years too.
Paris Olympics 2024 final health update
In the latest update, according to several reports, Vinesh Phogat had been working out all night to reduce the excess weight but failed to make the cut. Unfortunately, she has now also been hospitalised due to dehydration.
Anterior cruciate ligament tear at Rio Olympics 2016
In the past, Phogat, who is a three time Olympian, has also suffered from an career-threatening anterior cruciate ligament tear during Rio Olympics 2016 quarterfinal in her match against China’s Sun Yanan. It happened after Yanan fell on her right leg causing the injury, which led to her being forced to withdraw from the Olympics.
Elbow surgery in 2021 and 2023
While she came back into training by 2018, three years later, she had to undergo an elbow surgery after pulling out of the national trials that were being held to pick the team for the world championships in 2021. Two years later, she underwent another elbow surgery but there was more to come.
Knee surgery in 2023
After her tryst with health and injuries, Phogat was all set to compete at the postponed Asian Games in Hangzhou but was forced to pull out after she suffered a left knee injury and was unable to defend her gold, which she had won in 2018. When she underwent a ligament tear surgery, her weight increased to 59 kilos, according to reports, and she worked towards coming down to 50 kilos. The wrestler was even advised by doctors to not take a chance as it could affect her health leading to weakness and injuries.
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