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Olympic athlete abruptly retires from sport after being disqualified from gold medal final

Home> Athletics

Published 14:56 9 Aug 2024 GMT+1

Olympic athlete abruptly retires from sport after being disqualified from gold medal final

The athlete quit the sport just hours after her disqualification.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

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Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has announced her retirement after being disqualified from the final of the women's 50kg freestyle event before it even took place.

Phogat qualified for the final and was due to take on USA's Sarah Hildebrand, but came in 'a few grams' over the 50kg weight limit before the start of the second competition day.

Each wrestling weight category has taken place over two days in Paris, with organisers confirming in a statement that while Phogat was within the limit on the first day, competitors are disqualified if they fail the weigh-in on either day.

According to local outlet NDTV, the wrestler fell into the 50kg category before the start of the competition, but her weight was still up by 1kg despite training inbetween bouts and not having a meal.

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Phogat then desperately attempted a range of measures to try and cut the weight n time, including sauna sessions, cutting her own hair and even drawing blood.

On Thursday, the 29-year-old took to Twitter to confirm her retirement from wrestling with immediate effect.

In a short statement, she wrote: "Wrestling won and I lost. My dreams are shattered. I don't have any more strength now.

"Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. I will always be indebted to you all. I am sorry."

But while Phogat will not be competing again at this Olympics, her dreams of winning a medal are not yet over.

That is because the Indian has launched an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which has been accepted.

Vinesh Phogat in action in the Olympic women's 50kg wrestling -
Getty

In a statement, CAS confirmed that, while Phogat originally sought a decision regarding a potential second weigh-in, which would allow her to compete in the final if passed, time constraints meant that a verdict would not have been able to be reached.

Instead, the Indian wrestler is seeking a verdict which would see her receive a joint silver medal for competing in Paris.

The statement continues: "The matter has been referred to the Hon. Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC (AUS), sitting as a Sole Arbitrator, who will hold a hearing with the parties today.

"The Sole Arbitrator's decision is expected to be issued before the end of the Olympic Games."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Wrestling, Olympics

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

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