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Methods tried to keep Vinesh’s weight within limits failed, says Dr Pardiwala

August 7, 2024
S Kannan
Vinesh Phogat caught in the moment in this photograph. Source (X)

 

S Kannan in Paris

This is one of the most bizarre stories of disqualification in an Olympics. Vinesh Phogat, who was due to fight her gold medal bout in the 50kg category at Paris 2024 on Wednesday, tipped over the scales by just 100gm and was disqualified.

Even as all kinds of bizarre stories broke out on “wrongdoing and how her weight could have gone up” after she fought three bouts on Tuesday, it was put in perspective by Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, head of the Indian medical contingent in Paris.

Dr Pardiwala mentioned that it was normal for weight to bounce back after hard bouts. He said all kinds of possible things had been done to ensure her weight could be cut overnight, including chopping her hair. He also mentioned that her coaches, in the past, had used “sauna bath” and other legit methods to ensure Vinesh’s weight could be kept within the 50kg limit, but it did not work.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, P.T. Usha, met Vinesh at the clinic/hospital of the Games Village and consoled her. The athlete, who had won the love and affection from one and all a day ago, was distraught. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, messages on social media were of love and support for Vinesh and how she remains a champion.

Olympic legend Abhinav Bindra has also posted an emotional tweet (X) on how Vinesh remains a champion, despite not having won the Olympic gold medal, which she was to fight for.

All kinds of rumours have been floating on Vinesh since Wednesday morning since the time she was disqualified as per the UWW (United World Wrestling) rules. There are two weigh-ins, one on the first day of the competition and one on the second day. There is no margin or allowance given for any extra weight gain and this was something beyond control.

Five months back, when Vinesh was attempting Olympic qualification at the Asian qualifiers in Bishkek, she had cut her weight drastically. After a surgery last year, she had put on more than 9kg. That she brought it down to the 50kg range and was using sauna and steam baths to control her weight was most harsh. Vinesh did all that. Even on Tuesday night, after her semi-final, she was skipping, cycling and did all cardio exercises in the hope of losing weight. That it still did not work is worst luck.

Vinesh has undergone blood tests, according to Dr Pardiwala, and all parameters are normal. She is now on a saline drip to restore her hydration.

A medal lost may be the harshest way to explain this emotional trauma for Vinesh and the nation. She fought hard, on the mat and in the gym and sauna. If she was over by just 100gm, it shows how cruel sports can be. If there is a gold medal for perseverance at the Paris Olympics, Vinesh wears it already.

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