Vinesh Phogat Gets Internet's Love After Paris Olympics Disqualification: '100 Gm Extra From Invisible Medal'

Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat has suffered a heartbreaking end to her Paris Olympics 2024 campaign after being disqualified for being slightly overweight in the 50 kg freestyle category. Phogat, who typically wrestles in the 53 kg division, had successfully reduced her weight for the Paris Games. However, on the second day of weigh-ins, she was found to be 100 grams over the limit, resulting in her disqualification from the competition.

As Phogat was on the brink of a medal win, her disqualification came as a huge shock. In a statement on X, Team India shared the heartbreaking news. “It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class.”

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It further informed that the Indian contingent worked tirelessly throughout the night to help the wrestler from Haryana meet the weight requirements.“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 respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand,” the statement further read.

As the Paris Olympics ended in heartbreak for Phogat, many took to social media, including the Prime Minister, to shower love on the ace wrestler.

“Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India’s pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian,” PM Modi posted on X.

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He further added, “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.”

Here’s how the rest of the country reacted:

An X user wrote, “The extra 100g is from that invincible medal she has been wearing all this time.”

“Still hoping this is not real,” expressed another.

“Sometimes 100 grams is so heavy that it weighs down your Olympic dreams. The tiniest weights can cause the biggest heartbreaks.”

“Vinesh Phogat, You may be disqualified, but you are already a winner. Of course, a medal would have been awesome, but your story is more awesome, and there is nothing that can take away from you,” wrote yet another Internet user, adding that he is “proud” of the wrestler.

As Phogat will return home empty-handed following her disqualification from the Games, an old social media post of New Zealand cricketer Jimmy Neesham has been going viral on X (formerly Twitter). “Kids, don’t take up sport. Take up baking or something. Die at 60 really fat and happy,” wrote the cricketer after his team suffered a defeat in the 2019 World Cup.