Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat disqualified before gold medal bout after coming in 100 grams overweight

India’s star wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics on the morning of her gold medal fight after coming in overweight, officials say.

Phogat was slated to lock horns with Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States later on Wednesday after beating Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzmán in the 50kg semi-final.

Sources told The Indian Express Phogat was approximately 2kg overweight on Tuesday night, after which the wrestler made a desperate bid to make weight by jogging, skipping and cycling through the night. At a weigh-in in the morning she was still 100 grams over, the outlet reported.

The Indian Olympic Association confirmed the news of her disqualification at around 8.30am Paris time.

In a statement, it said: “It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class.

“Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning.

“No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand.”

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