Compulsion or conspiracy…? Why did Vinesh Phogat fight in 50 kg instead of 53 kg

Vinesh Phogat Weight Category: Vinesh Phogat participated in the women’s wrestling 50 kg category in the Paris Olympics 2024. But her normal weight is 55-56 kg, while she was seen playing in the 53 kg category for most of her career. It would have been easy for her to keep her weight under control at 53 kg, yet why did she participate in the 50 kg weight category of the Paris Olympics, what is the secret behind this?

What are the rules, what happened in the Olympic trials?

Actually, the date of 12 March 2024 was when wrestling trials were held at the National Sports Institute in Patiala. The Indian wrestler had participated in the trials for 50 kg as well as 53 kg weight category in that trial. At that time, Vinesh won the trials for 50 kg weight category, while she remained in the top-4 of the 53 kg category.

Being in the top-4 does not mean that Vinesh could not have qualified for the Olympics in the 53 kg category. The rule states that matches will be held between the wrestlers in the top-4, in which the wrestler with the best performance is sent to the Olympics. That means Vinesh could have participated in the 53 kg category as well, but due to the ambiguity in the rules, Vinesh was probably in a state of confusion.

Why did Vinesh not go to 53 kg

In fact, Antim Panghal had won a bronze medal in the 2023 Wrestling World Championship. Winning a medal does not mean that Antim Panghal got a direct entry into the Paris Olympics. As per the rules of the Wrestling Federation of India, the wrestlers who come in the top-4 in the trials compete with the wrestlers who get quota. That is, Antim Panghal’s place in the Paris Olympics was not confirmed. In such a situation, Antim Panghal could have had to face Vinesh in the trial match, but then a meeting of the WFI was held.

Trial could not be conducted

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) held a meeting and Sanjay Singh was made the new president shortly before the Olympics. Meanwhile, WFI announced that wrestling trials will not be held for Paris Olympics. Due to this, Ankit Panghal got direct entry in the 53 kg category competition of Paris Olympics due to quota.

In such a situation, Vinesh had two options. Either she should choose 50 kg or 57 kg category. Vinesh chose 50 kg category. Actually, Vinesh Phogat was confused due to lack of trials, while Ravi Dahiya, who was the silver medalist in Tokyo Olympics, and Sarita Mor in women’s 57 kg weight category also could not make it to the Olympics.

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Vinesh Phogat received a warm welcome in Delhi, cried bitterly on returning to the country; said- I am thankful to you all…