"If she is 100g overweight, they should've cut her hair"- Vinesh Phogat's father-in-law says haircut could have allowed her to compete in final

Vinesh Phogat's father-in-law Rajpal Rathee has suggested that the female wrestler should have cut her hair to reduce weight for the Paris Olympics 2024 final. The 29-year-old missed out on a historic medal because she was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight ahead of the final against USA's Sarah Hildebrandt.

Speaking with Aaj Tak after Vinesh Phogat's disqualification, father-in-law Rajpal Rathee urged the government to look into the matter. He highlighted how Vinesh's weight was fine until yesterday as she competed in three matches.

"The government should interfere in this. Yesterday, her weight was proper and she won her matches. Now, she has been disqualified. I cannot understand this. If she is 100g overweight, they should've cut her hair. Her hair weighs 300 grams. I feel there has been some discrimination here," Rathee said. [From 37:00 to 38:00 on the stream]

Rathee felt that the support staff missed a trick by not cutting Vinesh's hair to reduce her body weight.

"You tell me one thing, she is just 100 grams overweight, right? The weight of the hair is minimum 300 grams. They could have cut her hair," Rathee added. [From 38:01 to 38:12]

Rajpal Rathee yet to have a word with Vinesh Phogat after Paris 2024 Olympics disqualification

Rajpal Rathee was then asked if he has had any sort of communication with Vinesh Phogat or anyone from her support staff after this news. The Indian wrestler's father-in-law responded in the negative and said:

"No, I have not spoken with anyone." [From 38:14 to 38:16]

Vinesh is yet to address the media after this heartbreaking development. She became the first Indian to qualify for the women's wrestling Olympics final yesterday and her final bout was scheduled for tonight.

Unfortunately, the 29-year-old will return without a medal from Paris despite defeating the dominant Yui Susaki in the first round.

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