The Indian wrestler, who was disqualified after extreme attempts to lose weight, is said to have been hospitalized.
Vinesh Phogat made history at this year’s Paris Games after becoming the first woman from her country to win the gold medal in the 50 kg category.
The 29-year-old was scheduled to compete in the 50 kg freestyle final against American Sarah Hildebrandt on Wednesday (August 7).
Vinesh Phogat even cut his hair to lose weight for the fight. (David Ramos/Getty Images)
But in order to gain weight, she cut her hair and underwent intensive weight loss measures, including allegedly bloodletting.
Unfortunately, her weight was a few grams over the limit and she was taken out of the drawing that morning.
The devastated fighter wrote on social media: “Wrestling won and I lost. My dreams are shattered.”
“Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. I will always be indebted to all of you. I’m sorry.”
Phogat was reportedly hospitalized. (IOA)
Indian women’s team head coach Virender Dahiya said: “Sanjay Singh, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and the IOA officials are in touch with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United World Wrestling (UWW) on this matter.”
“Last night she gained 1 kg. We and her personal care staff worked to reduce the weight. Unfortunately it was slightly over the limit.”
WFI president Sanjay Singh has since claimed that Phogat has been hospitalised and told Republic: “Vinesh fell ill and was hospitalised. She is now better.”
In an interview with The Indian Express last year, Phogat spoke about how her desire to win came from her mother, who was widowed at 32 and suffered from cancer.
She said: “It’s from my mother. Our relationship is stronger than the bond between friends. We share everything. She was about 32 when she became a widow.
Phogat’s mother had a big influence on her. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
“I’m sad when I think about it. She fought for us. When we grew up, we didn’t even notice that fight.
“As a single woman, she would be ridiculed by others because of the way they treated her.
“Before my father died, my mother never left the house. She didn’t even know how much tomatoes cost. And then suddenly the disaster happened.
“When she was diagnosed with cancer, she went to Rohtak for chemotherapy. She was completely illiterate and did not even know where to sit or get off the train.
“Nobody supported her. We grew up watching her struggle. If a single woman like her, illiterate, could fight society on her own and make us great wrestlers, then we can do it too.”
“If we (wrestlers) don’t raise our voices today, my mother’s whole fight would have been in vain.”
LADbible has contacted representatives of Vinesh Phogat for comment.
