How did Vinesh Phogat, who weighed 49.9 kg in the morning, gain 2.7 kg by night? The reasons behind the Indian wrestler’s weight gain have been revealed.
On Day 1 (August 6) of her women’s 50kg wrestling bouts at the Paris Olympics 2024, Vinesh Phogat weighed in at 49.9 kg. After winning three consecutive bouts on Tuesday and becoming the first Indian female wrestler to advance to the Olympic final, Vinesh sensed something was off and requested a weight check. Surprisingly, she was nearly 3 kg over the limit. How did a wrestler who weighed 49.9 kg in the morning gain 2.7 kg by night, especially after participating in three grueling three-minute wrestling bouts?
Gaining weight during wrestling bouts is not unusual, nor is following a strict regime to pass the weigh-in. Most wrestlers compete in weight categories below their natural body weight to gain a strength advantage. Vinesh’s normal body weight is around 56 kg, but she has mostly competed in the 53 kg category throughout her career. In Paris, however, she reduced her weight even further to secure an Olympic quota, as the 53 kg spot went to Antim Panghal.
After undergoing a strict regime—including minimal food and water intake, excessive exercise, and sauna sessions—to meet the permissible weight limit on the morning of the competition, a wrestler is allowed to have a light meal, some water, and nutritional supplements to ensure they have enough strength and energy for the bouts. This leads to weight gain, which wrestlers who qualify for the medal rounds then work to reduce again before the next day’s weigh-in.
Vinesh’s coaches and support staff anticipated a similar weight fluctuation. So, what went wrong? How did Vinesh’s weight exceed the permissible limit by 100g, leading to her disqualification? The contingent’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, looked dejected as he explained the weight-cutting process. He mentioned that every possible method was employed to ensure Vinesh stayed within the prescribed limit.
“The weight-cutting process involves a calculated restriction of food and water, combined with sweating from exercises and sauna sessions until the morning weigh-in. This process causes weakness and energy depletion, which is counterproductive to participation,” he explained.
A combination of miscalculation and misfortune led to Vinesh’s weight gain and subsequent disqualification. Dr. Pardiwala noted that Vinesh’s nutritionist expected a weight increase of 1.5 kg, but it unfortunately reached 2.7 kg. As a result, Vinesh was found 100g overweight at the weigh-in on the morning of her gold medal bout, leading to her disqualification.
“…to restore energy, limited water and high-energy foods are provided after the weigh-in. Vinesh’s nutritionist had anticipated a weight increase of 1.5 kg. There can also be rebound weight gain after competition,” he added.
Dr. Pardiwala revealed that Vinesh’s weight increased on Tuesday night, prompting drastic measures to address the situation.
“…including cutting off her hair. However, she was still not under the allowed weight of 50 kg,” he said.
International rules dictate that any wrestler found overweight at the weigh-in is placed at the bottom of the final standings.
This result is particularly devastating, considering Vinesh had defeated the defending champion and unbeaten Yui Susaki of Japan on her way to the finals in a remarkable performance.
Vinesh’s disqualification means that the 50kg category will award only one bronze medal at the Games, instead of the usual two, which are typically decided through matches between the losing semifinalists and the winners of the repechage rounds.
The Indian wrestling contingent was understandably caught between anger and despair.
IMAGE CREDIT: Hindustan Times
