2024-08-13 23:26:36
New Delhi: Indian female wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified just before the final of the 50 kg weight category. Her dream of winning a medal in the Paris Olympics remained unfulfilled and Indian hopes also suffered a major setback. She had a chance to become the first Indian female wrestler to win a gold or silver medal. She had a chance to create history, but all these dreams have been shattered.
The wrestler has not completely given up though. She and the Indian Olympic Association bravely decided to challenge the result in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The decision is expected to come today. It is also possible that the Indian wrestler gets the silver medal. On the other hand, the United World Wrestling (UWW) is opposing Vinesh’s petition citing the rules, but there is one rule that can help Vinesh win a medal.
Actually, there are some loopholes in the UWW rule book, which Vinesh can take advantage of to turn the decision in her favour. According to a report, the wrestling body suggests that the difference of 100 grams, due to which Vinesh failed to make the weight, cannot be ignored. Since the rules do not allow this, no exception can be given to Vinesh. Therefore, the Indian wrestler cannot be given the silver medal in the match. However, there is also a big loophole in the rule book of the World Wrestling Organization.
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What is the ‘flaw’ in UWW’s rules?
As per UWW rules, the wrestler who claims the repechage is the loser from the finalist. In the 50kg freestyle wrestling final, Japan’s Yui Susaki was given the opportunity to fight for the bronze medal in the repechage round. But, as per the rules, Vinesh is not a finalist, as she was disqualified from the gold medal match on the grounds of failing to make the weight. The final was played between Cuba’s Yusnelis Guzman and USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt.
Medal Tally.
Then on what basis was Susaki allowed to compete in the repechage? If the rules are followed, Susaki should not have been allowed to play the repechage, but UWW allowed it to happen. The logic is that Susaki should not be a part of the repechage bouts because Vinesh’s rules were removed, they were not considered. But, that was not the case. While there is a clear loophole in the UWW rules, it all depends on how the Indian camp exploits it when the final CAS hearing takes place before the verdict is announced on Tuesday.