From 53kg To 50kg: Slightly Overweight Vinesh Phogat Was Working Hard To Maintain Her Weight For Last Six Months

Vinesh Phogat, who was contesting in the 50-kg category in Paris Olympics, had earlier contested in the 53-kg weight category. Vinesh lost the quarter-finals of Tokyo 2020 against Belarusian Vanesa Kaladzinskaya while she faced a quarter-final exit in the Rio 2016 Olympics (48-kg category) following a knee injury.

Wrestler Bajrang Punia shared that Vinesh has been working hard for the last six months to maintain her weight as per the 50kg category. Punia shared that while it's comparatively easy for a male athlete to lose weight, female athletes are required to put in more effort to lose weight. 

According to reports, Vinesh Phogat was awake the whole night doing jogging and cycling while not drinking water to lose weight. She even trimmed her hair in an effort to reduce weight. However, when the weighing time came, her weight was still 100 grams above the 50kg mark. She was later admitted to a hospital due to dehydration. 

Expressing sadness over her disqualification, Bajran Punia said, "Vinesh you are a gold medalist of courage and morality. You are a daughter of the soil and hence this medal also belongs to the soil. You fought with great courage. Yesterday, when the Olympic officials weighed you before playing, your weight was absolutely perfect. No one wants to believe what happened this morning. I can't believe that this has happened to you. The whole country is unable to hold back its tears."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reacted to the loss. "Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today's setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing. At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you," said Modi.