“It was a golden opportunity” - India’s first female Olympic medalist Karnam Malleswari rues Vinesh Phogat’s Paris 2024 disqualification

Former Indian weightlifter Karnam Malleswari, India’s first female athlete to win an Olympic medal (Sydney 2000), said that the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics 2024 finals was an ‘unfortunate’ one as it was a ‘golden opportunity’ for the wrestler.

Speaking to reporters from the news agency ANI, Malleswari said:

“I am sad to listen to this [disqualification]. I heard about such an incident for the first time in my career that a player gets disqualified because of her body weight. I don't know how this mistake happened, but it's unfortunate as it was a golden opportunity for Vinesh.”

“If this had not happened we could have won gold or silver. It's a huge loss for Vinesh and the country,” she added.

Phogat was disqualified from the women’s 50 kg freestyle event before her final bout against the USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt. The 29-year-old Commonwealth Games gold medalist was found 100 grams above the weight limit during the second weigh-in, triggering her disqualification from the event.

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“I am shocked and disappointed” - IOA chief PT Usha on Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from Paris Olympics 2024

Several members of the Indian contingent have expressed their shock at the news of Vinesh Phogat’s sudden exclusion from the medal bout in the women’s 50 kg event.

PT Usha, the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), was in the Paris Olympic Village along with Vinesh to offer support and consolation to the latter.

“After hearing the news that Vinesh Phogat is disqualified, I am shocked and disappointed. I had come here to meet Vinesh; she is physically and medically okay. Mentally, she is disappointed,” PT Usha told reporters, as per ANI.

Meanwhile, Phogat filed an appeal in the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) on Wednesday, asking to be awarded a joint silver medal in the women’s 50 kg freestyle event.

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