How does the weigh-in for Olympic wrestling work? The rules that led to Sarah Hildebrandt's opponent Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the finals

By Animesh Pandey

Modified Aug 07, 2024 11:54 GMT

Sarah Hildebrandt of Team USA was set to face Vinesh Phogat of India in the final, when an unexpected development occurred. Her opponent was suddenly declared disqualified from the competition, following a failed weigh-in.

According to a statement issued by the Indian Olympic Association [via Olympics.com],

"It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares the news of the disqualifcation of Vinesh Phogat from the women's wrestling 50kglclass. 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 Vinesh's privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand."

The organizing committee confirmed the same through an official press note, as published on their official social media accounts. The press note says [via UWW],

"Vinesh VINESH, from NOC of India in 50kg., failed the weigh-in on day two of her competition which has forced United World Wrestling to promote Yusneylis GUZMAN LOPEZ (CUB) to the final of 50kg. at the Paris Olympics. She will take on Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) in the final."

According to the press note by UWW, Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba, who was defeated by Vinesh Phogat and earlier fighting for the bronze medal, will now compete in the finals against Hildebrandt. Meanwhile, the scheduled repechage bout between Yui Susaki of Japan and Oksana Livach of Ukraine will now be a bronze medal bout.

But what is this weigh-in procedure that has led to much commotion? According to the current rules, the weigh-in for the wrestler irrespective of gender or category, is carried out on the same day he/she is competing. Since wrestling bouts at Paris Olympics are being conducted over a span of two days, there would be two weigh-ins for all the 16 candidates competing for a medal.

The first weigh-in for the candidate lasts for 30 minutes, during which the grappler is measured with the singlet, and nothing else. The wrestlers are also examined for signs of any contagious disease, or things like long fingernails. The weigh-in is also done on the second day, when the repechages as well as the finals are conducted. However, this weigh-in lasts only 15 minutes.

It was during the second weigh-in that Phogat failed to meet the weight requirements, and was subsequently disqualified. Hildebrandt will now face Yusnelis Guzman Lopez of Cuba in the finals.

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Sarah Hildebrandt's performances at the Paris Olympics

Sarah Hildebrandt of the USA in action at the Tokyo Olympics 2024 [Image Source: Getty]

Sarah Hildebrandt, the bronze medalist from the 2023 World Championships aimed to change the color of her bronze medal from the Tokyo Olympics, where she had overcome Oksana Livach of Ukraine 12-1 to claim the bronze medal.

Hildebrandt began her campaign at the Paris Olympics with a 10-0 win over Ibtisem Doudou of Algeria in the pre-quarterfinals. She then faced fellow bronze medalist from the 2023 World Championships, Feng Ziqi of China, in the quarterfinals, winning by a close margin of 7-4.

In the semifinals, the American wrestler came face to face with Dolgorjavyn Otgonjargal from Mongolia, who won two consecutive silver medals at the World Wrestling Championships, including at Belgrade in 2023. However, the Mongolian proved to be no match for Hildebrandt as she defeated the former 5-0 to proceed to the final and assure the USA of another Olympic medal in freestyle wrestling.

Hilderbrandt will now face the Cuban wrestler Yusnelis Guzman Lopez in the finals of women's 50 kg freestyle wrestling, which shall be held at Grand Palais Ephemere tonight at 6:15 p.m. (local time).