PARIS: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified just hours before the women’s 50kg freestyle final at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday after failing to make weight, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said.

Phogat had been set to lock horns with Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States for the gold medal. The disqualification means she will not receive a medal of any colour. “It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the women’s wrestling 50kg class,” the IOA said in a statement.

“Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning.” The news brought an outpouring of sympathy for her compatriots, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing her as a “champion among champions” on social media platform X.

“You are India’s pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian,” Modi said. “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 epitomize resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head on.

“Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you.” Shooter Abhinav Bindra, who won India’s first individual Olympic gold in 2008, said he was “completely gutted”. “Sometimes you don’t need a gold medal to be a true champion to people,” he added.

Phogat was one of several Indian wrestlers who came out in protest last year seeking criminal action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, then chief of the Wrestling Federation of India and a part of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. Singh has denied any wrongdoing following complaints by women wrestlers.

Meanwhile, India’s wrestling federation was on Wednesday appealing the disqualification of star athlete Vinesh Phogat at the Paris Olympics after she failed to make weight for the women’s 50kg final. World bronze medallist Phogat, 29, was in the public eye for months last year as part of a long-running protest against the then-chief of Indian wrestling when he was embroiled in a sexual harassment scandal.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had filed an appeal with global governing body United World Wrestling to reconsider the decision to disqualify Phogat. “Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning,” the IOA said in a statement. IOA president P.T. Usha said Phogat’s disqualification was “very shocking”, adding that the team was providing Phogat with “all medical and emotional support”. Phogat was considered a strong prospect for winning gold at her third Olympic appearance and her sidelining was greeted with shock at home. — AFP