No joint silver medal for Vinesh Phogat after CAS dismisses Indian wrestler's plea challenging disqualification at Paris 2024 Olympics
The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has dismissed Vinesh Phogat's petition challenging her disqualification from the women's 50 kg freestyle final at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Indian wrestler was found to be overweight by around 100 grams ahead of the gold medal match.
The CAS which had earlier extended the time limit for the panel to reach its decision until Friday dismissed the plea on Wednesday (August 14). The Indian wrestler will therefore not be awarded a joint silver medal despite reaching the final of the 50kg freestyle event at the Paris Olympics.
Vinesh Phogat who got past Yusneylys Guzman of Cuba 5-0 in the semifinal of the 50kg freestyle event at the Paris Olympics was slated to take on Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States in the final.
The 29-year-old was found to be above the permissible weight by 100 grams which led to her unfortunate disqualification from the event. She had earlier upset Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Yui Susaki of Japan in the round of 16.
Harish Salve, the former Solicitor General of India, and Vidushpat Singhania represented Vinesh Phogat during the hearing of the case by the CAS. As a result of the CAS verdict, Aman Sehrawat remains the only wrestler who brought home an Olympic medal for India.
India's medals count remains 6 following the dismissal of Vinesh Phogat's plea by the CAS
Hopes of a joint silver medal for Vinesh Phogat were dashed following the decision of the CAS to dismiss the plea of the wrestler from Haryana. As such the medal count of the Indians at Paris 2024 remains 6.
Manu Bhaker won a bronze medal for the Indians at the women's 10m air pistol event before winning a second bronze when she teamed up with Sarabjot Singh in the mixed team 10m air pistol event. Shooter Swapnil Kusale came good in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event by winning a coveted bronze medal to add to India's medal count.
The Indian men's hockey team won a second successive Olympic bronze medal by defeating Spain at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir in Paris. Neeraj Chopra then won India's first and only silver medal at Paris 2024 in the men's javelin throw event before Aman Sehrawat won a bronze in the men's freestyle 57kg category.
The United States of America topped the overall medal tally with 40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze medals with the People's Republic of China close behind with 40 gold, 27 silver, and 24 bronze medals.